Intellectually brilliant, fiercely partisan, politically shrewd, Allan J. was the last of the leading Liberal MPs and ministers from the Diefenbaker-Pearson era of 1957-68.

He was an effective minister in high profile, controversial ministries, a strong and untiring advocate for his native Cape Breton and with Sailor Jack Pickersgill one of two political titans in Atlantic Canada in the Pearson government.

His passing brings back vivid memories of that period when there were many giants instead of mostly pygmies in all three major federal parties and his contribution to this country in particular on the health care and labour files was substantial and enduring.

RIP, Allan J., you gave politics a good name.