Maurice HeenanCMGQC (8 October 1912 – 26 September 2000) was a New Zealand-born barrister and solicitor, who served as Attorney General of Hong Kong and as a senior lawyer for the United Nations.
It was in London that he met his future wife, Claire Gabriela Stephanie (née Ciho), daughter of Emil Ciho (died 1975) and Irene (née Rotbauer; died 1950) of Trenčín, Bratislava, Czechoslovakia.[1] Claire Ciho, who was attending a summer course for foreign students at Oxford, was one of the first students permitted by the Czechoslovakian government to attend a foreign college after the war. [citation needed]. The couple wed in 1951; they had two daughters.[1]
In 1966, he became the Deputy Director of the General Legal Division (United Nations Office of Legal Affairs), Offices of the Secretary General, United Nations. On his departure from Hong Kong Michael Gass, the Acting Governor, thanked Heenan for his service at the last meeting of the Legislative Council he attended.[3]
Heenan served as Deputy Director of the General Legal Division until 1973, when he was named General Counsel for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian Refugees in Beirut, Lebanon.[1]
In Hong Kong, he was a member of the Hong Kong Club, the Hong Kong Cricket Club and Hong Kong Lawn Tennis Association. He was also a voting member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.[5] He was a member of the Country Club of New Canaan in America.[1]
His recreations included rugby, tennis, squash, skiing and golf.[1]
Last years and death
In 1977, he retired to his home in New Canaan, Connecticut. He died in 2000, aged 87, and was survived by his wife, two daughters and several grandchildren.[6]