Rob Ford, Toronto’s cartoon character former mayor, whose scandal-stained legacy included smoking crack, urinating in public and drinking to excess, has died after a strenuous battle with cancer. He was 46.
Ford had a tumor removed from his abdomen in May, and then announced in October that doctors found two more tumors on his bladder.
“With heavy hearts and profound sadness, the Ford family announces the passing of their beloved son, brother, husband, and father, Councillor Rob Ford earlier today at the age of 46,” according to a statement from the former mayor’s office released Tuesday.
Chris Young/APRob Ford, the scandal-scarred former mayor of Toronto, died at 46.
“A dedicated man of the people, Councillor Ford spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto,” the statement continued, adding that Ford’s family did not intend to make further statements to the media.
Despite the scandals, Ford had been preparing to run for reelection as mayor in 2014, until he was hit with some of the health issues.
Instead, he ran for and won the city council seat he held before he was elected mayor.
COPYRIGHT: THE GLOBE AND MAILFormer Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was caught on video smoking crack.
During a Twitter exchange in January, Ford said he was planning a comeback.
“I’ll be on the ballot running for Mayor in 2018,” Ford tweeted.
Ford earned international notoriety in May 2013, when reports emerged of a video showing the politician smoking crack. Ford initially denied the allegations, but was forced to admit that he had smoked crack – probably during a “drunken stupor.”
Yet he refused to resign.
MARK BLINCH/REUTERSFord kisses with his Renata Ford as children Doug and Stephanie while watching the municipal election results in Toronto.
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MARK BLINCH/REUTERS
Despite the scandals, Ford had been preparing to run for reelection as mayor in 2014 until he was hit with some of the health issues.
In October 2013, Ford was spotted urinating in public behind a public school. The following month, during a raucous debate, Ford barreled over an elderly city council member, Pam McConnell, knocking her to the ground.
Ford took a leave of absence to enter drug rehabilitation. Ford registered for re-election in 2014, but in September he withdrew from the race after being diagnosed with an abdominal tumor.
Authorities said he died surrounded by his family.
After Ford’s death was announced, family and friends weighed in on social media, calling the lifelong politician a passionate public servant.
Saddened to learn that former Toronto mayor Rob Ford has passed away. My thoughts & prayers are with Rob’s friends, family & colleagues.
— Kathleen Wynne (@Kathleen_Wynne) March 22, 2016
Rob Ford had a passion for people and politics. I’m saddened by his tragic passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. #RIPRobFord
— Norm Kelly (@norm) March 22, 2016