Former Mississauga mayor Hazel "Hurricane" McCallion has passed at 101. She was Canada's longest serving mayor at 36 years.
Hazel McCallion RIP
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I wish I have it together, like she did even when she was older.
Hazel McCallion, affectionately known as “Hurricane Hazel” for her tireless tenacity, has died at the age of 101, her family confirms.
“At the request of the family, I announce with heavy heart, the passing of my dear friend and mentor, Hazel McCallion,” Premier Doug Ford said in a statement issued by his office.
McCallion died peacefully at her home in Mississauga early Sunday morning.
McCallion would have turned 102 on Feb. 14.
“Hazel was the true definition of a public servant,” Ford said. “There isn’t a single person who met Hazel who didn’t leave in awe of her force of personality. I count myself incredibly lucky to have called Hazel my friend over these past many years.”
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie cited McCallion as the driving force behind her decision to put her name on the ballot and succeed her as mayor.
“I wouldn’t be the leader I am today if it wasn’t for her support and sage advice,” Crombie said in a statement. “As the saying goes, ‘if I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.'”
McCallion, who was born in Port Daniel, Que., on Valentine’s Day in 1921, went on to become Mississauga’s longest-standing mayor — a position she held for a remarkable 12 consecutive terms over 36 years from 1978-2014.
She retired from politics at the age of 93.
Under her leadership, Mississauga grew to become the sixth largest city in Canada, and McCallion forged her reputation as an iconic Canadian personality and dedicated public servant.
“I worked hard for the people of Mississauga for 36 years,” she humbly said upon her retirement.
After leaving politics, McCallion was appointed chancellor of Sheridan College and special advisor to the principal of the University of Toronto-Mississauga.
In a series of interviews with CityNews over the years, McCallion explained how her capacity for hard work was forged during the tough Depression years.
“Being a Depression kid, you learn that things were not plentiful, but I ate good food, ate a lot of fish,” she explained. “My mom and dad were hard workers and as a youngster I had to bring the wood in at night because we had an all-wood stove. You learn to look after yourself.”
toronto.citynews.ca
Hazel McCallion, affectionately known as “Hurricane Hazel” for her tireless tenacity, has died at the age of 101, her family confirms.
“At the request of the family, I announce with heavy heart, the passing of my dear friend and mentor, Hazel McCallion,” Premier Doug Ford said in a statement issued by his office.
McCallion died peacefully at her home in Mississauga early Sunday morning.
McCallion would have turned 102 on Feb. 14.
“Hazel was the true definition of a public servant,” Ford said. “There isn’t a single person who met Hazel who didn’t leave in awe of her force of personality. I count myself incredibly lucky to have called Hazel my friend over these past many years.”
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie cited McCallion as the driving force behind her decision to put her name on the ballot and succeed her as mayor.
“I wouldn’t be the leader I am today if it wasn’t for her support and sage advice,” Crombie said in a statement. “As the saying goes, ‘if I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.'”
McCallion, who was born in Port Daniel, Que., on Valentine’s Day in 1921, went on to become Mississauga’s longest-standing mayor — a position she held for a remarkable 12 consecutive terms over 36 years from 1978-2014.
She retired from politics at the age of 93.
Under her leadership, Mississauga grew to become the sixth largest city in Canada, and McCallion forged her reputation as an iconic Canadian personality and dedicated public servant.
“I worked hard for the people of Mississauga for 36 years,” she humbly said upon her retirement.
After leaving politics, McCallion was appointed chancellor of Sheridan College and special advisor to the principal of the University of Toronto-Mississauga.
In a series of interviews with CityNews over the years, McCallion explained how her capacity for hard work was forged during the tough Depression years.
“Being a Depression kid, you learn that things were not plentiful, but I ate good food, ate a lot of fish,” she explained. “My mom and dad were hard workers and as a youngster I had to bring the wood in at night because we had an all-wood stove. You learn to look after yourself.”
Long-time former Mississauga mayor 'Hurricane Hazel' McCallion dies at 101
Hazel McCallion, affectionately known as “Hurricane Hazel” for her tireless tenacity, has died at the age of 101, her family confirms. “At the request of the family, I announce with heavy heart, the passing of my dear friend and mentor, Hazel McCallion,” Premier Doug Ford said in a statement...
toronto.citynews.ca
At least wait unti the body is in the ground before taking a piss on it. There's nothing wrong with being critical about dead politicians BTW, but how about providing links or commentary?
Hazel was an icon and a strong leader and voice for the city of Mississauga, the city I grew up in. She was so popular that she would have won elections until she died in office.
Yes there were some corruption issues but you need to ask yourself is there anyone in the history of mankind who had that much power and remained squeaky clean? Under her leadership the city's population grew from 280K to 750K or more. She was the most accomplished mayor in this country's history, a role model for any woman seeking to make an impact.
I expect if he is well enough, that Don Cherry will deliver an eulogy at her funeral. God Bless Hazel. RIP.
Yes there were some corruption issues but you need to ask yourself is there anyone in the history of mankind who had that much power and remained squeaky clean? Under her leadership the city's population grew from 280K to 750K or more. She was the most accomplished mayor in this country's history, a role model for any woman seeking to make an impact.
I expect if he is well enough, that Don Cherry will deliver an eulogy at her funeral. God Bless Hazel. RIP.
She could have been as corrupt she wanted too. That old witch knew how to control a budget and build a city.
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I'm not sure but he hasn't been out as much from what I hear. He's going to be 89 on February 5.
Toronto's record is not much better than Mississauga. Etobicoke and Scborough are prime examples of that lack of vision other than build as many single family homes as possible. Downtown is even worse by allowing so many condos along it's waterfront while not doing much else. The area has certainly gotten better over the past 20 years or so, but it's stil such a huge missed opportunity.
I do know there's a lot of work going on in the Port Lands to prevent flooding at the mouth of the Don Riber, but we'll see how that plays out. Why someone thought it was a good idea to have the Don River turn 90 degrees is beyond me.
