Ronald Wallace (politician)

Ronald Wallace, CM (August 5, 1916 – May 20, 2008)[1] was a Canadian politician and optometrist. Wallace is the longest-serving mayor of the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Ronald Wallace

MLA, C.M.
Wallace with Titanic survivor Louise Pope at a Fairview Lawn Cemetery wreath-laying in 1991
Mayor of Halifax
In office
1980–1991
Preceded byRonald Hanson
Succeeded byMoira Leiper Ducharme
MLA for Halifax Citadel
In office
1970–1978
Preceded byDonald MacKeen Smith
Succeeded byArt Donahoe
Personal details
BornAugust 5, 1916
Halifax, Nova Scotia
DiedMay 20, 2008(2008-05-20) (aged 91)
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Political partyLiberal
Spouse(s)
Julia Patricia McColough
​
​
(m. 1948)​
Professionoptometrist

Wallace was one of fifteen children born to Thomas John Wallace and Ada Evangeline Wallace, formerly MacNeil. He graduated from Saint Mary's University in 1939. He was the intercollegiate boxing champion, and a champion rower. His brother Dan was also a Maritime heavyweight boxing champion and a champion rower, and as a Rhodes scholar and rowed for Oxford University.

Wallace served two terms as the Liberal member for Halifax in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1970 to 1978. He was elected mayor of Halifax in 1980 and served until his retirement in 1991. He served as mayor longer than any other, and was known for his fairness, good humor and visionary approach to improving his beloved city. He was made a member of the Order of Canada in 2001.[2][3]

Wallace married Julia Patricia McColough, daughter of Reginald Walker McColough, Director of Public Works for the Parliament of Canada. Together they had six children; Barbara Wallace, Suzanne Wallace, Mary Beth Wallace, Ian Wallace, Mark Wallace and Jennifer Wallace.[4] He died at his home in Halifax on May 20, 2008 at the age of ninety-one after suffering from cancer and pneumonia.[2][1]

References
  1. Lawlor, Allison (July 7, 2008). "Ron Wallace 91: Politician and Optometrist". Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario.
  2. "Former Halifax mayor Ron Wallace dies". CBC News. May 21, 2008. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  3. "Order of Canada". Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  4. The Chronicle Herald, Julia Patricia McColough obituary


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