In Loving Memory of:

John Oscar Moller Andersen

So now what's left to be said ? Only three things:
Thank You, Good Luck, and Goodbye.
J.O.M.A.

1949-2012

History:

Born in Copenhagen Denmark on April 22, 1949, John Oscar was the first born child of Margaret and Vagn Moller Andersen. The family initially immigrated to Canada in 1955 but soon returned to England and Denmark. Due to the lack of job opportunities in Europe the family decided to immigrate again in 1958 aboard the SS Stavangerfjord and landed in Halifax at Pier 21, which is today the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. The purpose of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is to explore the theme of immigration to Canada in order to enhance public understanding of the experiences of immigrants as they arrived in Canada, of the vital role immigration has played in the building of Canada and of the contributions of immigrants to Canada’s culture, economy and way of life. Today, Oscar and his story shares a rightful place in the museum on one of it's virtual wall bricks.

Oscar's other brothers are ; Martin and Clifford. His given names John and Oscar are interesting in that he preferred John in his personal and professional life and Oscar within the family circle. Oscar never married. He was a loving, caring and thoughtful man. He was dedicated to his beliefs, especially to the ideals of socialism and the union movement.

Oscar, was an “A” student throughout elementary and high school and graduated from Chilliwack Senior Secondary School in 1967 . He then enrolled at the University of British Columbia taking classes in Biology etc but graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor's Degree – Languages, Literature and English. While at U.B.C., he became involved with the University student newspaper , the Ubyssey. This ultimately led to his employment with the Vancouver Sun Newspaper as a reporter ( 1970 ) and the Terrace News Advertiser ( 1974 ) as a reporter / photographer / editor.

He worked for Canada Employment and Immigration Commission in Toronto, Ontario as an Employment Counsellor Assistant from 1980 to 1989. Returning home ( West Coast ) , he became a free-lance writer/editor writing and designing magazines, newsletters, booklets, leaflets and other printed material. Of significant note was his work as the writer/editor of the publication Paranoia from 1983 to 2005. It was based in Ontario and centred on the workers in the Canada Employment centres, unemployment insurance offices, immigration ports of entry, job creation programs and their struggle with the federal government. Oscar wrote in the final edition of Paranoia "Paranoia will provide any interested historians with a written record of what CEIU Ontario members were doing from 1983 to 2005".

As Mr. Cres Pascucci ( former CEIU National President ) wrote: “ Paranoia is a rich history of labour relations with the federal government covering negotiations, austerity, strikes, political actions and the rise of women in leadership positions.” As well as Paranoia, Oscar was the editor of sister publications; Ravin', Grassfire and Ginger.

Oscar continued to provide his expertise as a freelance writer until he became ill and was diagnosed and operated on for cancer. In 2012 he had three (3) courses of chemotherapy but as the cancer had spread, the treatments were cancelled. Of note, for many years, he was a member of and contributor to the B.C. Cancer Society. Oscar died on September 12th, 2012 in palliative care with his family beside him.

Interests:

Oscar was a long standing member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, the B.C. Waterfowl Society and the Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society, among others. Many a day would find Oscar bird and animal watching in South Surrey and other areas.

As well, he was interested in wild botanical tulips, hiking, kayaking, astronomy, world travel and travel photography, classical music and of course: reading. He travelled extensively in Great Britain , Europe, Australia, the South Pacific and West Africa.

Accomplishments and Achievements:

John Oscar Moller Andersen was recognized in his life many times. In 1997 Oscar was awarded the Morden Lazarus Prize which is awarded annually by the Canadian Assoc. of labour Media ( CALM ) and the Douglas-Coldwell Foundation for the best labour editorial/opinion piece in Canada.

Other Calm awards were:
1988 - Best overall publication ( provincial unions)- Paranoia
1988 - Excellence in feature writing - Paranoia
1991 - Excellence in news coverage - Paranoia
1992 - Excellence in layout and design - Ravin' – CEIU Manitoba ( small-circulation publications, 500-1000 )
1992 – Best Provincial Union Publication in Canada.

Oscar produced several versions in English and French of an unemployment insurance guide for unemployed workers which received national news coverage on TV and newspapers. As well, he authored This is your Union/Le Syndicat c'est nous.

He completed a 28 page booklet that traces the origins of nine well-known labour songs back to hymns, folk melodies and popular songs of the 1800's and earlier.

Oscar also wrote a 72 page booklet containing a set of biographical sketches of four women: Helen Keller, Rosa Luxemburg, Mary Ann Shadd and Madeleine Parent. The biography of Madeleine Parent was the first ever published and involved a considerable amount of original research.

Regards:

Oscar was a kind, wonderful, loving and supportive man to both family and friends. As the saying goes, "he couldn't hurt a fly". In death as in his life, he avoided fanfare. It was his wish not to have any ceremony on his passing, but just a simple scattering of his ashes under a tree where some of his favorite flowers grow. The tree is in South Surrey in a quiet and peaceful woodland park adjacent to Semiahmoo Bay.

Oscar is deeply missed.

After completing his last edition of PARANOIA**,
Oscar stated, to his friends, family and colleagues:

So now what's left to be said ?
Only three things.
Thank You, Good Luck, and Goodbye.

**Copies of PARANOIA are stored and preserved at:
William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections
McMaster University