John Ormrod (J.O.) Livesey, a former Speaker of the Yukon legislative assembly, has died at the age of 93.

Livesey passed away on July 12 in St. Joseph's Hospital in Comox, B.C.

Livesey represented the electoral district of Carmacks-Kluane from 1961 to 1964 and again from 1967 to 1970. During both those terms, he served as speaker.

'J.O. ruled the chamber,' Flo Whyard, who covered the legislature for the Star during Livesey's time, said in an interview last week.

'He was in charge, and you had respect for everything that went on.'

During that era, the assembly still sat in a courtroom in the old Federal Building, she said, but Livesey made it clear that what was happening was serious and important.

'It was making the rule of the land,' Whyard said. 'He was just so proud to sit there.'

Whyard said she had heard stories that Livesey had always had an interest in politics since he was a young man.

There was an instance where he was involved with a youth group while still living in the Vancouver area and they were supposed to be organizing a dance, she said.

Livesey grew frustrated with the teenaged agenda, she said, and told the group they should be considering more serious things. They ended up planning a debate instead.

'He knew all the Parliament's rules since he was a teenager,' she said, adding that she has heard he spent time in his room since about the age of 15 reading Hansard, which is the official transcript of government debates, and government rules and procedures.

'You wanted to make sure you got everything right for him,' said Whyard, referring not just to the legislative members, but also to the reporters.

Livesey often asked the reporters what they were doing, she said. The common response was, 'We report progress, Mr. Speaker,' she added.

He was committed to maintaining parliamentary traditions while he ruled the house, she said.

Livesey was born in Manchester, England in 1911 and later immigrated to Canada while still a youth.

He was a member of the Merchant Marines during the Second World War and served as a radio operator on numerous ships. During a trip to London, he met the woman who would become the love of his life, Freda.

Whyard said the two stayed in touch through a correspondence club, adding 'J.O. must of wrote pretty elegant letters.'

After the war, Freda came to Canada to join Livesey, where he was now living in the Yukon, and Whyard said they married the day she arrived.

They were married for about 20 years before her death in 1974.

'I think they were happy together,' said Whyard.

Livesey lived in Beaver Creek and operated the general store there until 1983, at which time he moved to Comox, located on Vancouver Island.

Livesey ran in the 1970 territorial election, but was defeated by the late Hilda Watson. He also ran in the elections of 1974, 1975 and 1978, but never regained the seat.

Even though he never returned to the legislative assembly as a member, he remained active in local politics and appeared before various special committees.

He is survived by his older brother, Bill, and two nieces.

Livesey was profiled in Uffish Thoughts, published in last Friday's edition.