He and his wife Jennifer moved to Cape St George, Newfoundland in 1968.
He was a community college teacher when he was acclaimed provincial NDP leader at the party's convention on November 8, 1981.
He stepped down as leader in 1989 and did not stand for re-election to the House of Assembly in that year's election.
While leader of the party in 1986, he was arrested along with union representatives who participated in a strike by the Newfoundland Association of Public Employees (NAPE).
During his term as Mayor he served as the chair of the Southwest Coast Joint Municipal Council.