Statement by Fred Ryan, Chairman of the Board of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute on the Death of Brian Mulroney

Statement by Fred Ryan, Chairman of the Board of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute on the Death of Brian Mulroney

Simi Valley, California – The Reagan Foundation and Institute mourns the loss of Brian Mulroney, one of Canada's most consequential prime ministers and a friend and ally to Ronald Reagan and America. The world has lost a true champion of freedom and democracy. 

When Ronald Reagan met Brian Mulroney in 1984 it was clear early on that the Prime Minister was someone he could work with.  He became a friend he valued, in fact someone he called a “dear friend” and whose “bond of affection is truly a treasure.” Together they laid the foundation for one of the most important periods in the history of bilateral relations between Canada and the United States. 

And although they bonded over shared values, it was their Irish heritage that deepened that bond. A meeting in March of 1985 in Quebec City was colloquially named “The Shamrock Summit” because of the shared Irish background of the two leaders. The Summit ended with President and Mrs. Reagan and Prime Minister and Mrs. Mulroney singing “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” – a perfect example of the camaraderie between the two great leaders.  

When President Reagan passed away, Prime Minister Mulroney delivered an emotional and heartfelt eulogy. During his remarks, Brian Mulroney said, “Ronald Reagan was a president who inspired his nation and transformed the world. He possessed a rare and prized gift called leadership.”   

Brian Mulroney possessed that same rare and prized gift. When we heard the news of Brian Mulroney’s passing today, we knew that Ronald Reagan was there, with an Irish twinkle in his eye, to greet his great friend. 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his lovely wife, Mila, their children, Ben, Caroline, Mark, and Nicholas, the entire Mulroney family, and the Canadian people. May he rest in peace. 

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Contact:  Melissa Giller; mgiller@reaganfoundation.org