He died at the city’s Mount Sinai Hospital. Rob Ford passed away this/Tuesday morning after losing his battle with a rare form of cancer.
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As a councilor, mayor and private citizen, Rob Ford reached out directly to people across the city with a phone call, an offer of advice or support, and I know there are many who were affected by his gregarious nature and approach to public service. His bombastic style and scandal- plagued mayoralty drew critics; his defense of taxpayers against downtown “elites” drew fierce loyalty from the working-class neighborhoods he championed.
He became mired in controversy soon after taking office. As a rookie politician, Ford built a name for himself by railing against 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. He later won the case on appeal. Ford eventually confessed to his drug use in November 2013 in a news conference. “Um, probably in one of my drunken stupors, probably approximately about a year ago”.
Premier Kathleen Wynne, who had a frosty relationship with Ford and even refused to meet face-to-face when discussing funding in the aftermath of the 2013 ice storm, interrupted question period to extend condolences and express the sadness of the legislature.
Robert Bruce Ford, the son of self-made millionaire Doug Ford Sr. and Diane Ford, worked for the family label-making company before deciding to follow his father, a one-term Progressive Conservative MPP, into politics.
No charges were brought against him.
Ford took a leave of absence, announced that he would enter rehab and wasn’t seen again for months.
Jacobs described Ford as a “dedicated man of the people”. He was a strong candidate for re-election, according to the Toronto Star.
The Fords were a political family.
His diagnosis came during Toronto’s last civic election in which he was running for re-election as mayor after having most of his powers stripped by city council.
Rob Ford was charged with assault and threatening death, but prosecutors withdrew the charges, citing inconsistencies in Renata Ford’s statements. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expressed sympathy to Ford’s family.
Late night television host Jimmy Kimmel, who interviewed Ford on his show in 2014 sent his condolences to Ford’s family and fans on Twitter calling him an “unforgettable guy who loved his job and city like few men I’ve met”.
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He wasn’t afraid to laugh at his own expense.
