MISSISSAUGA, ON, January 29, 2023 /CNW/ – It is with great sadness and very heavy hearts that the City of Mississauga announces the passing of the former mayor and the city’s greatest champion, Hazel McCallion. She died peacefully shortly after 6:30 a.m. today, January 29, 2023 home with his family by his side. Hazel McCallion was 101 years old.
Hazel was married to Sam McCalliondied in 1997. She is survived by her three children, Paul (Mary), Linda Burgess (late Peter) and Pierre McCallionand his granddaughter, Erika.
“Today, I stand with our residents, staff and my colleagues on Council as we mourn the passing of Mississauga matron Hazel McCallionthe longest-serving mayor of our beautiful city,” the mayor said. Bonnie Crombie. “Hazel was not only my mentor and political role model, but the reason so many Canadian women were inspired to enter politics. She left an indelible mark on our city and her legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come. We should all strive to follow his example. Today I join everyone Mississauga residents to express my sincere condolences to Hazel’s family and friends. » See the mayor’s full statement.
Hazel McCallion served on City of Mississauga as mayor for 36 years from November 1978 to November 2014. Since leaving the mayor’s office, she has taken on roles with University of Toronto Mississauga, Sheridan Collegethe Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association, the Government of Ontario and Revera Incorporated, among others.
“It’s a loss the city is going to feel for a while,” said Paul Mitcham, Chief Executive Officer (CAO) and City Manager. “Through his hard work and passion, Mississauga is the seventh largest city in Canada. We are strong, growing and welcoming to all. That’s Hazel’s legacy to us and for that, I’m truly grateful to her.”
Memorial arrangements and details will be provided as they become available. In lieu of flowers, the McCallion family has requested that donations be made to Trillium Health Partners Foundation or at the Hazel McCallion Charitable Foundation for Arts, Culture and Heritage.
Information about the memorial is available at Mississauga.ca/hazel.
Background
Hazel McCallion was born on February 14, 1921 in Port Daniel, Quebeca small fishing community on the Gaspesie. She played professional hockey until she moved to Toronto working with Canadian Kellogg for 19 years.
In 1967, she left the business world to devote herself to politics. She was mayor of Streetsville from 1970-1973. In 1974, Streetsville, Port credit and the city of Mississauga amalgamated to form the City of Mississauga. McCallion was elected as Mississauga third mayor in 1978.
In 1979, just one year as mayor, McCallion evacuated more than 230,000 city residents due to chlorine and chemicals emitted from exploding train cars in what became known as the ” Mississauga Miracle”. McCallion won 12 consecutive mayoral elections and was nicknamed “Hurricane Hazel” for her tenacity and desire to create change in her city. During his tenure as mayor of Mississauga, it tripled the population, while operating the City without debt. She is the past president, honorary president and honorary member of numerous committees and associations throughout Canadasuch as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and World Conference of Mayors and World Women’s Hockey Tournament.
She was inducted into the Mississauga Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2005, to the Order of Ontario in 2021 and was a finalist for World Mayor in 2005. In 2014 McCallion wrote his autobiography, Hurricane Hazel – A Life with Purpose. Since stepping down at the end of her term in 2014, she has worked as CEO of Revera Incorporated, been appointed special advisor to the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), and was named the first Chancellor of Sheridan College. In 2016, February 14th was renamed Hazel McCallion Day throughout the province of Ontario in honor of McCallion’s birthday. She has made many causes her passion, but throughout her life she has always supported young people and their development, defending many causes to provide opportunities for young people.
THE SOURCE City of Mississauga
For further information: City of Mississauga Media Relations, [email protected], 905-615-3200, ext. 5232, TTY: 905-896-5151
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