Robert Bruce Ford was born on May 28, 1969, he was a Canadian politician and businessman who served as the 64th mayor of Toronto from 2010 to 2014.
Before and after his term as mayor, Ford was a city councilor representing Ward 2 Etobicoke North. He was first elected to Toronto City Council in the 2000 Toronto municipal election and was re-elected to his council seat twice.
His political career, particularly his mayoralty, saw a number of personal and work-related controversies and legal proceedings. In 2013, he became embroiled in a substance abuse scandal, which was widely reported in national and foreign media.
Following his admission, Ford refused to resign, but the city council voted to hand over certain mayoral powers and office staff to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly for the remainder of Ford’s term.
Ford took a sabbatical and received treatment for his alcohol and drug addiction. Despite the scandal, Ford initially contested the next mayoral election, scheduled for October 2014, but after being hospitalized and diagnosed with an abdominal tumor in September 2014, Ford withdrew from the mayoral race and registered instead to run for his old city council seat.
John Tory succeeded him as mayor on December 1, 2014, while Ford regained his former seat. Ford received treatment for cancer, and was able to return briefly to council, but died in March 2016 after chemotherapy was ineffective.
On March 21, 2016, Ford’s office confirmed that he had been placed into palliative care at Mount Sinai Hospital. Ford died the following day, March 22, at the age of 46.
After his death, City Hall started an official period of mourning. Flags at municipal buildings were lowered to half-staff; a book of condolences was started at City Hall, and chalk was provided for personal messages on the pavement of Nathan Phillips Square, similar to that after the death of Jack Layton; and the 3D Toronto sign was dimmed at the square.
Visitations were held at City Hall for two days with the Ford family present. On March 30, a public funeral service was held at St. James Cathedral followed by a public commemoration of his life at the Toronto Congress Centre in the evening.
Ford was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Etobicoke where his father is also buried. His brothers Doug and Randy took on stewardship of Rob’s share of Deco Labels and Tags upon his death.
