Roger Jamieson, pillar of N.L.'s tourism industry, dead at 66

Roger Jamieson, a key contributor and advocate for Newfoundland and Labrador's tourism industry, died Saturday at 66. (Carnell's Funeral Home )

Roger Jamieson, a pillar and key supporter of Newfoundland and Labrador's tourism industry, died on Saturday. He was 66.

Jamieson served in many roles, including former president of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador and chair of the Marble Mountain Development Corporation. He most recently served as chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism Board.

He was also known for opening Kilmory Resort, a multiseason cottage resort and RV park, in Swift Current in 1991, and was honoured for his volunteer work with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.

"Roger's legacy is one of dedication, vision and a relentless commitment to excellence. His impact on the tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, and indeed across Canada, will be felt for generations to come," Hospitality N.L. chair Deborah Bourden said in a news release Monday.

Jamieson was also known in political circles, running for the Liberals in the district of Placentia West-Bellevue in 2017. He also served as the district association's president and ran for federal politics in 2007.

His father, Don, was a Liberal MP who represented southern Newfoundland for 13 years.

Premier Andrew Furey and Tourism Minister Steve Crocker issued a joint statement Monday thanking Jamieson for his contributions to the province.

"Not only was Roger a tourism operator, he was also a passionate advocate for the province's tourism industry," the statement said.

"There is no doubt that his decades of commitment to the industry have helped put Newfoundland and Labrador on the map as a premier travel destination."

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