Rob Ford supporters talk about the ex-mayor’s legacy—and whether they’d vote for Doug
After Rob Ford’s death last week, it was only a matter of days before he made his way back to Nathan Philips Square. On Monday morning, an honour guard of Toronto police officers carried Ford’s casket into the city hall rotunda, where the ex-mayor will lie in repose until tonight. As Ford’s body arrived at the building, a line of his friends, colleagues and supporters waited outside in the rain to pay their respects. We asked them for their fondest memories—and also whether they’d consider voting for another member of the Ford family, given the chance.
Rocky Giordanella, 45-year-old Ford volunteer from Etobicoke
“When I started volunteering with Rob in 2014, it was like I became a part of the family. The Fords were friendly and outgoing and we all spent a lot of time together at the office. Rob was always very busy, but we had a ball. He was a good mayor and we’re going to miss him a lot in Toronto. But I’m going to miss spending time with the whole family most. I will always vote for a Ford.”
Christian Gallipoli, 19-year-old Humber College student from Etobicoke
“He was my high school football coach for two years. He was passionate and motivated us to reach the next level. He would even work with each one of us individually to improve our skills. He was really good with youth, and I feel like that went unnoticed with all the stuff that happened. Not a lot of people got to see that side of him.”
Dominic Gallipoli (Christian’s dad), 51-year-old truck driver from Etobicoke
“When my son was playing football, the team loved Rob. I remember one time, the media was hounding him, with about six or seven news trucks parked along the field. He didn’t want to get bombarded by journalists, so the whole team surrounded him and walked him to his car. The family is big in the community and they do a good job when they are in office—especially for the taxpayers. So I would definitely vote for Doug.”
Lurline Sangster, 73-year-old residential councillor for disabled children from midtown
“Rob Ford looked out for a lot of poor people. I only met him once, while a few journalists were interviewing him. I was standing right beside him, and the police said I should move down a little. But Ford stopped them and said that I was fine standing right where I was. I voted for Rob already, so I would vote for Doug. It’s a nice family.”
Louis Hardiman, 58-year-old retiree from Bowmanville
“I’ll always remember him as he was the last time we spoke. It was about two months ago, just before he went into hospital. We were sitting at a coffee shop, chit-chatting. I always appreciated how he thought of everyone else as equal to himself. He was a lovable person. If Doug ran for mayor, I would be in line right behind him ready to vote.”
James McIntosh, 31-year-old bar worker
“I’m sure there are a lot of people here who are fans of his politics. I don’t consider myself a fan, but I can recognize that he was an important figure in Toronto history. At least now I’ll be able to say that I got to see him one last time.”
Annie An, 52-year-old registered nurse from Etobicoke
“I’m Doug’s neighbour. I never got to meet Rob, but I believed him to be a very friendly and honest person. I think if Doug was to one day be mayor, it would be almost like having the same Ford in office. It would be good for the people.”
Pat W., 65-year-old retiree from Etobicoke
“I worked on Rob’s last mayoral campaign, and eventually Doug’s. We had a ball working. Rob was warm and friendly, and he took you in like part of the family. He helped me out while I was having a difficult time in my life. I have pictures with him that I’ll always keep up at home—right next to his bobblehead.”
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![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/rob-ford-death-streeters/&title=Rob Ford supporters talk about the ex-mayor’s legacy—and whether they’d vote for Doug&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/christian-gallipoli-ford-streeters-2000x1333.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_375739" align="alignnone" width="803"] (Images: Giordano Ciampini)[/caption]
After Rob Ford's death last week, it was only a matter of days before he made his way back to Nathan Philips Square. On Monday morning, an honour guard of Toronto police officers carried Ford’s casket into the city hall rotunda, where the ex-mayor will lie in repose until tonight. As Ford's body arrived at the building, a line of his friends, colleagues and supporters waited outside in the rain to pay their respects. We asked them for their fondest memories—and also whether they'd consider voting for another member of the Ford family, given the chance.
[caption id="attachment_375727" align="alignnone" width="2000"] (Image: Giordano Ciampini)[/caption]
Rocky Giordanella, 45-year-old Ford volunteer from Etobicoke
"When I started volunteering with Rob in 2014, it was like I became a part of the family. The Fords were friendly and outgoing and we all spent a lot of time together at the office. Rob was always very busy, but we had a ball. He was a good mayor and we’re going to miss him a lot in Toronto. But I’m going to miss spending time with the whole family most. I will always vote for a Ford."
[caption id="attachment_375720" align="alignnone" width="2000"] (Image: Giordano Ciampini)[/caption]
Christian Gallipoli, 19-year-old Humber College student from Etobicoke
"He was my high school football coach for two years. He was passionate and motivated us to reach the next level. He would even work with each one of us individually to improve our skills. He was really good with youth, and I feel like that went unnoticed with all the stuff that happened. Not a lot of people got to see that side of him."
[caption id="attachment_375722" align="alignnone" width="2000"] (Image: Giordano Ciampini)[/caption]
Dominic Gallipoli (Christian's dad), 51-year-old truck driver from Etobicoke
"When my son was playing football, the team loved Rob. I remember one time, the media was hounding him, with about six or seven news trucks parked along the field. He didn’t want to get bombarded by journalists, so the whole team surrounded him and walked him to his car. The family is big in the community and they do a good job when they are in office—especially for the taxpayers. So I would definitely vote for Doug."
[caption id="attachment_375725" align="alignnone" width="2000"] (Image: Giordano Ciampini)[/caption]
Lurline Sangster, 73-year-old residential councillor for disabled children from midtown
"Rob Ford looked out for a lot of poor people. I only met him once, while a few journalists were interviewing him. I was standing right beside him, and the police said I should move down a little. But Ford stopped them and said that I was fine standing right where I was. I voted for Rob already, so I would vote for Doug. It’s a nice family."
[caption id="attachment_375724" align="alignnone" width="2000"] (Image: Giordano Ciampini)[/caption]
Louis Hardiman, 58-year-old retiree from Bowmanville
"I’ll always remember him as he was the last time we spoke. It was about two months ago, just before he went into hospital. We were sitting at a coffee shop, chit-chatting. I always appreciated how he thought of everyone else as equal to himself. He was a lovable person. If Doug ran for mayor, I would be in line right behind him ready to vote."
[caption id="attachment_375723" align="alignnone" width="2000"] (Image: Giordano Ciampini)[/caption]
James McIntosh, 31-year-old bar worker
"I’m sure there are a lot of people here who are fans of his politics. I don't consider myself a fan, but I can recognize that he was an important figure in Toronto history. At least now I'll be able to say that I got to see him one last time."
[caption id="attachment_375728" align="alignnone" width="2000"] (Image: Giordano Ciampini)[/caption]
Annie An, 52-year-old registered nurse from Etobicoke
"I’m Doug’s neighbour. I never got to meet Rob, but I believed him to be a very friendly and honest person. I think if Doug was to one day be mayor, it would be almost like having the same Ford in office. It would be good for the people."
[caption id="attachment_375726" align="alignnone" width="2000"] (Image: Giordano Ciampini)[/caption]
Pat W., 65-year-old retiree from Etobicoke
"I worked on Rob’s last mayoral campaign, and eventually Doug’s. We had a ball working. Rob was warm and friendly, and he took you in like part of the family. He helped me out while I was having a difficult time in my life. I have pictures with him that I’ll always keep up at home—right next to his bobblehead."
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