As condolences flow in, the City awaits to hear of the family’s plans for funeral services for former mayor Rob Ford. Plans will be shared with the municipal administration and some form of official honour will be paid. The City’s protocol office says state funerals are normally reserved for sitting mayors, but exceptions can be made. Mr. Ford succumbed Tuesday to the soft tissue cancer he had fought for nearly two years. The high marks of his mayoralty — privatization of garbage collection west of Yonge Street and his populist bear-hug of Toronto — are being recalled tonight. The sometimes less than polished Ford was known to have once called himself “300 pounds of fun.” He was disliked by many for his political toughness on government spending. But it was his weaknesses to drugs and alcohol that led to his loss of public support. His secret and then public use of such substances scandalized the City and humiliated its chief executive. Ford was first elected as City Councillor for Ward 2 in 2000. He built a name for himself by attacking councillor office budgets, using his own money to pay for his expenses and giving his cellphone number out to any constituent that needed his help. The following statement was issued by his chief of staff Dan Jacobs. CBC
“With heavy hearts and profound sadness, the Ford family announces the passing of their beloved son, brother, husband, and father, Councillor Rob Ford earlier today at the age of 46.
A dedicated man of the people, Councillor Ford spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto.
The family asks that you respect their privacy and join them in their grieving and their prayers.
The family will not be making any statements to the media or taking any questions. Information will follow at a later time regarding memorial services.
Over his decade and a half in municipal politics, Ford won a devoted following for being a straight talker who championed the average taxpayer.”
