03.22.2016 10:13 AM

Rob Ford, RIP

I didn’t ever support the man, of course. I was critical of his politics, too. But, one day – out of the blue – he and his brother Doug were very kind to me at a very bad time. You don’t ever forget stuff like that.

Deepest condolences to the Ford family, something which I’m sure all commenters on this web site share.

20 Comments

  1. pipes says:

    I really think his heart was in the right place, but his flesh was too weak. Rest in peace Mr. Ford and I hope the good Lord assuages the pain of bereavement for his family, especially his children.

  2. ABB says:

    I hope the family have a public event for Ford Nation to express its gratitude one last time.

  3. lou says:

    Nice story Warren. It reminds me that one of the stark differences I have noticed recently is that those of us on the center-right may not approve of the left policy, but still believe that “no people are so evil that they are without virtue” (Kennedy-Berlin). In a sense, Ford came to represent the new group of voters that the left abandoned. The worker, the lower class, the person struggling to get by. He said Hi to everyone took his job as an agent of his constituents seriously. He was certainly flawed, but he never forgot who he was working for. Condolences to the Ford family and those who knew him. Gone far too soon.

  4. patrick says:

    Horrible, awful mayor and he was completely out of his depth. I loathed everything he was about and brought to the mayor’s office.
    But, as a councillor, beyond the periodic histrionics at city hall, he was attentive to the small details that concerned his constituents.
    He called everyone back and made them feel represented.
    Rob could never handle big picture politics but he was great with the equivalent of chewing the fat over the fence issues.
    It keep him elected and made the people of his ward feel connected to the political process.
    Good for him. And he deserves credit for what he was truly suited for and good at.
    Rest in peace.

  5. Mike Reintjes says:

    RIP Big Man….

  6. Carey Miller says:

    We agreed on wanting to do better for Toronto. We agreed to disagree on the best way to do so. But Rob Ford always had a good word and a smile for me and for everyone whenever we met, even when he was sick.

    I have given my private condolences to his family. It is hard to lose such a young person.

  7. Joe says:

    I live in Oakville but regularly go to a medical clinic near Rexdale and Kipling – ground zero of the Ford Nation – for a study I’m apart of. I arrived a little early today so I went to a Salvation Army thrift store in the same complex to kill some time before my appointment. I was in the back of the store when I heard a woman’s voice scream “Oh my God! Oh my God!” I went to the front of the store to see what was going on and a person told me that Rob Ford had just died. The woman had tears coming down her eyes and had to be consoled by an employee. Very powerful stuff.

  8. Lynn says:

    I was also never a fan of his politics, and shook my head about many of the things he did or said, but it is a terrible shame that a young man has passed away leaving a wife and young children without a daddy. Really sad.

    I truly hope that the kids have some good memories of before Daddy got sick. Condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

  9. Merrill Smith says:

    Like many here, I hated Ford’s politics. I also thought he should have faced justice for some of the things he did, but it’s occurred to me lately that when he is being compared to Donald Trump, he is being maligned. As others here have pointed out, he went to bat for his constituents and had a decent side. Can anyone produce any examples of Donald Trump ever having done anything for anyone other than Donald Trump? I doubt it. In that comparison, Rob Ford was much the better man.

  10. davie says:

    Day to day we put a lot of time and energy into our differences.
    But most of what we are we have in common.

  11. Matt says:

    Lots of houses in my neighborhood have put their Ford for Mayor signs out on their lawns in tribute.

  12. Steve Fleck says:

    Agree with Patrick – despite the bluster, Rob Ford was the worst Mayor that Toronto has ever had. However, as a local Councillor, who genuinely seemed concerned about his constituents needs, he was good at that, and that’s probably where he should have stayed. The Mayoralty was a spectacular over-reach, that turned out bad for Ford and for the city.

    It’s always a sad and tragic situation when a Man dies with young children. I am sorry to see him go and feel very sorry for his kids.

  13. e.a.f. says:

    very sad he died at such a young age. He was a lot of things to a lot of people. He did something lots of people never do, he tried.

  14. Theresa Shaver says:

    46 – wow 10 years younger than me….way to young to be dying. It is part of Mr. Ford’s being an addict. When someone is morbidly obese they are 10x more likely to get cancer. I mean no disrespect to Mr. Ford, I merely wanted to mention this so people can use this as a good “bad” example to take care of the body you have…you only get one. In the event that you accuse me of being judgemental…I almost died at 387 pounds in 2009. I was given a second chance…I had to learn to treat my body and life with respect and with a lot of support lost 160lbs. I am very grateful for my second chance. RIP Mr Ford❤.

  15. Keith Richmond says:

    This blog post reminds me of a previous post your wrote about a political opponent. Before his PM years, Stephen Harper called you and offered his condolences when your father passed away. You have never hesitated to notice and mention kindness, Warren, even when it come from your political opponents. Appreciate that in you.

  16. smelter rat says:

    I’ve always felt that you shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, but some people seem to be desperate to rewrite history, and that’s wrong too.

  17. Kevin says:

    A tragic figure, that’s for sure. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

  18. PJH says:

    From a CBC article on Mr. Ford’s passing:” And although cancer halted his ambitions to restart his political career with a mayoral bid in 2018, Ford Nation believes even his death was, in one sense, a victory against the “liberal elites” he detested.

    “I always hoped he would fight his way back,” wrote Ford Nation supporter Ted Davidson on Facebook Tuesday. “There is one consolation, though — Rob’s death has upstaged the federal Liberals’ first budget,” he wrote.

    “Rob would be happy.” “

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