Milton’s ‘personal friend, valued colleague’

Town remembers its beloved councillor, well-known barber Mike Boughton ran his barber shop for 50 years.

Calling him a great man, Milton Mayor Gord Krantz described his council colleague Mike Boughton as someone who gave his heart and soul to the community.

The Ward 2 town councillor died Monday night, surrounded by family and friends at the Milton District Hospital. Boughton was 72.

Flags at Milton Town Hall were lowered Tuesday in honour of Boughton.

“He was a wonderful family man,” said Krantz. “He was my personal friend, a valued colleague and he will be greatly missed by many.”

Ward 1 town Councillor Robert Duvall said Milton was a better town because of Boughton, describing his colleague as a kind, funny and warm human being.

“We sat many times after council meetings, whether it was at the Legion or his favourite pub to hear his stories and have a few laughs — something these days we desperately need,” Duvall said.

“He had a knack of making things fun and I think that’s why I was drawn to him early on.

“He had a profound sense of accomplishment for his children and adored his late wife. He never missed an opportunity to say it.”

Duvall said while he and Boughton bonded over a similar cancer diagnosis they shared, they would mostly just talk about family.

“It’s not often these days people take the time just to learn about another human being, but I am much fuller for it. His experiences, his charity, his sense of family is really all that matters,” Duvall said.

“Mike was special. I am forever grateful for being a friend to such a true gentleman. He will be missed.”

Wards 2, 3, 4 and 5 Milton regional Councillor Colin Best said it was an honour serving with his ward-mate for eight years on council and on the board for the Downtown Milton Business Improvement Area (BIA).

“I have known Mike for nearly 50 years as he cut my hair when I was young at his barbershop, along with many other Milton residents,” Best said.

“I just saw Mike in hospital last Monday before council and he was hoping to get back to council as soon as he could. He will be missed by many in the community who he served through a number of organizations.”

Boughton was first elected to Milton council in 2003 and was re-elected for three terms, serving the community for 11 years in total.

He had even registered for reelection in this October’s municipal election.

According to Best, this was the first time a sitting councillor has passed away in Milton since 1971, to his knowledge.

Some people took to social media to express their reaction to the news.

“I am saddened to read this. Mike Boughton was a pillar in our community. My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. May he rest in peace,” Robin Read Griffin wrote on Twitter.

Jennifer D. Forbes went on Facebook and wrote: “What a sad loss of a good, caring man. Prayers to the family.” A member of the Milton Chamber of Commerce, Boughton was recognized by the organization as citizen of the year in 2011 and business person of the year in1994 for his work in the community and several service clubs. “We were saddened by the news of Mike’s passing,” said Scott McCammon chamber president and CEO.

“He was a great contributor to Milton community and it’ll be a great loss as well.”

Boughton stood at the helm of his iconic Mike’s Barber Shop (now known as Joseph and Mike’s Barber Shop) in downtown Milton for 50 years before turning it over to Joseph Pedulla, while facing some health issues.

But Boughton continued to work at the barber shop part- time after his leukemia diagnosis in 2016.

Working with him for more than three years, Pedulla said he was very saddened by the news, calling Boughton a close friend and brother.

“He was an unbelievable guy,” Pedulla said.

“He was friendly, always there for other people and would do anything for them.

“I’ll never meet another guy like him.”

When he wasn’t working at the barbershop, Boughton would invest his time and energy into giving back to the community.

For years, he organized the annual Golf 4 Cancer tournament, raising more than $1 million.

He was also an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 136 – Milton.

Boughton was predeceased by Lenni, his wife of 52 years, who died earlier this year. He is survived by two children and grandchildren.

Details of a memorial service at J. Scott Early Funeral Home will be posted on the Town of Milton’s website when they are available.