‘Rob, I’m going to miss you like crazy’
More than 700 mourners packed into St. James Cathedral to give the former mayor fitting sendoff
“I know my dad is in a better place now, and he’s the mayor of heaven,” Stephanie Ford, 10, told more than 700 mourners packed into St. James Cathedral plus thousands more Ford Nation supporters crowded outside and watching on television.
Her words, delivered in a strong, clear voice eight days after losing her dad Councillor Rob Ford, electrified mourners who erupted in applause at the intensely personal moment in a profoundly political 90-minute funeral Wednesday.
Ford was an intensely polarizing politician, a populist conservative bulldozer famed for forging personal connections helping the “little guy” while alienating and often scorning perceived enemies, including gay Torontonians, cyclists and liberals, during a scandalfilled mayoral term.
Stephanie reminded all that Ford, 46, was also a father, prematurely snatched by a rare and aggressive cancer from her, her brother Dougie, 8, their mother Renata, and the rest of the famously tight-knit Ford family.
She recalled words from the “amazing dad” and “great mayor” at Mount Sinai Hospital as the end neared after 18 months of treatment, including a brief period in which Ford declared himself cancer-free.
“He smiled at me and he said, ‘Stephanie, I might not be here for too much longer.’ He said, ‘I want you to remember that I’ll always love you. I need you and your brother to be strong for your mom.’ ”
Rob Ford’s older brother, best friend and political co-combatant Doug Ford choked back tears as he followed Stephanie.
“Rob truly believed he was the mayor of Canada, not the mayor of Toronto,” Doug said, spinning a “classic Rob” story in which the then-mayor took it upon himself to help the overworked, understaffed manager of his favourite sandwich shop by personally delivering an order.
“I met four potential voters,” Doug recalled Ford telling him. “And made a three-dollar tip!”
Doug Ford thanked Mayor John Tory, who beat him for the top job in the 2014 civic election, saying he “bent over backwards for our family” and “filled every request,” and “nothing but class” Premier Kathleen Wynne for attending, saying they put political difference aside to celebrate “the Rob Ford Party, the party of the people.”
Doug Ford concluded: “Rob, I’m going to miss you like crazy. I love you more than anything in the world,” concluding with a cry for the continuation of the grassroots, suburban-based movement that propelled them both into office.
“And don’t worry, Ford Nation will continue, will continue respecting the taxpayers.”
Doug Ford has hinted that he or another family member might seek to replace Ford as councillor for Ward 2 Etobicoke North. City council can opt to appoint someone to fill the seat until 2018 or hold a byelection.
The Ford family asked Mike Harris, the former Progressive Conservative Ontario premier who led the controversial Common Sense Revolution from 1995 to 2002, to also eulogize Rob Ford.
Harris paid tribute to Ford’s famous constituency work, showing up unexpectedly at the shop of a man with a zoning issue or helping a single mom desperate for housing.
“His blunt talk, no-nonsense, get-itdone-now approach had inspired them to pick up the phone, to attend rallies, barbecues, and to vote, maybe for many for the very first time,” Harris said.
“His vow to ‘stop the gravy train’ was as simple and as genuine as any political mantra I’ve ever heard of in my life. And I’ve heard of a few . . .
“It has always amazed me that Rob was under attack and investigation from his foes in the media because his office and travel expenses were too low. He was attacked because, as mayor, he would help the less fortunate get sports equipment. What a breath of fresh air he was at city hall.”
Clinton Leonard, a former member of Ford’s beloved Don Bosco high school football team, paid tribute to Coach Ford, who ultimately was barred from coach- ing by the Toronto Catholic District School Board for controversial comments including that many players “come from gangs.”
“Rest in sweet paradise, Coach Ford, we love you,” Leonard said.
Andrew Asbil, dean of St. James Cathedral, joked that Ford is in a heaven where subways run on time, taxes are low and budgets are always balanced.
The Ford clan had gathered earlier at city hall, where more than 5,000 people paid respects to Ford as he lay in repose Monday and Tuesday.
Mourners decked out in Ford Nation T-shirts and caps packed the street as if it were a parade, the sound of bagpipes and chants of “Rob Ford” and “best mayor ever” announcing the casket as it wound its way through downtown en route to the cathedral.
Unlike many Rob Ford events, there were no protesters.
On Twitter, however, Ford critics protested the heaped praise and overt endorsement of Ford’s political legacy.
“I’m a taxpayer, and I’ve never felt respected by the Fords,” wrote Lisa Martinson. “A funeral is not the time for this nonsense.”
Some questioned the unprecedented memorial at city hall, which included opening city hall on Easter Monday. A city spokesperson said there were some staffing costs that would be “managed within existing budgets.” The funeral arrangements were paid for by the Ford family.