The life of the outgoing, funny, often controversial, and witty former Mayor, Rob Ford succumbed to his battle with cancer on Tuesday his representatives confirmed. Diagnosed in 2014 with pleomorphic liposarcoma surgeries and many rounds of chemotherapy were unable to help.
The former Toronto Mayor had a very publicized term when he was recorded smoking crack several times during his term. He admitted to using the drug, but always made clear that he was not an addict.
The Ford family announcing the death Tuesday described the former mayor as a “dedicated man of the people” who “spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto.” The statement went on to say, “The family will not be making any statements to the media or taking any questions.”
Mayor Ford did seek help in late April of 2014 when he went to rehab at the GreeneStone residential addiction treatment centre. Saying at the time,”Every time he kept beating me,” Ford said of his reflection in the mirror. “I said, ‘You know what? Enough’s enough. I’ve got to put everything aside or else one day I’m not going to be able to see that guy anymore.”
“I have made mistakes and all I can do right now is apologize for those mistakes,” Ford said at a news conference in June 2014, after a two-month stay in rehab.
“I love the work that I do and I’m going to keep doing it. I want to keep working for the people of this city.”
The current mayor of Toronto, John Tory, said in a statement that “He was a man who spoke his mind and who ran for office because of the deeply felt convictions that he had. I know there are many who were affected by his gregarious nature and approach to public service.”
Mayor Ford is survived by his wife Renata and his two children, Stephanie and Doug.
Written by: Michael Howell
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