WARMINGTON: Mississauga didn’t mind this Hurricane coming through and will deeply miss Hazel

It’s not often a hurricane leaves more standing than what was there before it arrived. 

But this rare Mississauga Hurricane left behind a path of growth, prosperity, infrastructure, community and smiles in her wake. 

Hazel McCallion was the kind of hurricane people didn’t want to leave. While even she knew no one can stay forever, the iconic former mayor of Mississauga sure gave it a try. Just a couple of weeks shy of her 102nd birthday, the legend passed away with her family at her side. Her son Peter said she died at 6:46 a.m. on a Sunday in which she would normally get up and head over in her own car to the Tim Horton’s in Streetsville and get busy working in one of her many jobs. Even though she retired from being mayor in 2014 after 36 years, she never stopped working and was busier than before.

“She was the Queen of municipal politics,” said Paul Godfrey, former Metro Chair of Toronto who knew her for more than a half century. “Nobody could ever challenge her: In the polls, in a debate, in getting things done or in working hard. She couldn’t be beat. Mississauga is a great city and that is because of Hazel’s vision and dedication.” 

Nobody worked harder than Hazel. I met her in 1980 and saw this tiny person walk into the event like she was seven feet tall. Bigger than life, she owned the room. While she was all business, she was fun too, like the time Toronto Mayor Rob Ford didn’t make the salmon fishing excursion from Port Credit so she brought a salmon she caught to his office. Ford didn’t dare miss the next year and I have this great Dick Loek photo in my house of she and the late great Rob I cherish because both always took my questions in tough times and good times.

Hazel was loyal too. She didn’t run away from friends when the tide turned on them – like what happened with Don Cherry on the Nov. 11, 2019 “you people” poppy controversy. McCallion was the only public person who didn’t pile on Grapes, loudly saying “I want Don back.” 

Fearless, Hazel never minced words.

“In a meeting she was always the first one and last one to speak,” said Godfrey. “If she thought you were wrong she would tell you. But she also would support you, no matter the political stripe.”

Godfrey told a great story of when she was 95 she took him to a Mississauga outdoor rink and went out and played hockey. She was so Canadian.

Just two weeks ago, I received calls saying Hazel was near death and I had better get an obituary ready. Just to be sure I rang her cell phone.

“Hello,” said the woman with her famous gravelly voice.

I was relieved. It was vintage Hazel. Feisty. And on her game.

“I’m fine,” she declared stridently.” Never mind me, how’s your son? How’s your mom?”

Turns out rumours of her demise were a bit premature.

“My health is fine,” she said. “They just said I can’t go out as much.” 

Toronto Mayor John Tory laughed as he told me “she went to an event in the Portuguese community anyway.” 

Hazel was looking forward to her 102nd birthday on Valentines Day. Maybe we should have a special state-like funeral to celebrate her remarkable life instead. Certainly, many will be there. Hazel always did draw a crowd. 

In 2021 at the Erin Mills Town Centre they erected a display of her life that was so popular it stayed open an extra month. Hazel was only committed to attend the opening but loved seeing all the people so much she was there all the time. Visitors would see the big stand up cutout of her and get in a picture with it but then noticing the real Hazel steps sway was smiling at them at her at her old Streetsville town council desk or in her rocking chair next to her portrait.

“I am not retired,” she told me. “And I don’t plan to.”

She was good to her word and worked up to her last day, leaving behind a 60-year path of public service.

RIP Hurricane Hazel.