After Rob Ford’s death, Toronto notables try to find the right words
More about Rob Ford
It’s hard to eulogize a guy like Rob Ford, who died today at age 46 after months of chemotherapy. He was a famous and (still, incredibly) widely beloved man with a wife and young children, but, at the same time, he was a notorious political figure responsible for four years of unprecedented ugliness at city hall. In the immediate aftermath of his passing, Toronto’s political and media notables have virtually no choice but to weigh in. Here, a roundup of tweets from people struggling to find the right words to say about a man whose life and actions so often left them speechless.
The mayor acknowledges that Ford was a “human guy”:
Received sad news that Councillor and former mayor @TorontoRobFord has passed away. Please find my statement here: pic.twitter.com/WHhbk2oowv
— John Tory (@JohnTory) March 22, 2016
Queen’s Park offers its condolences:
.@TorontoRobFord was passionate about people and public service. I always appreciated that he was unscripted and sincere. 1/4
— Patrick Brown (@brownbarrie) March 22, 2016
Saddened to learn that former Toronto mayor Rob Ford has passed away. My thoughts & prayers are with Rob's friends, family & colleagues.
— Kathleen Wynne (@Kathleen_Wynne) March 22, 2016
JT and Stephen Harper agree on something:
Rob Ford fought cancer with courage and determination. My condolences and best wishes to the Ford family today.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 22, 2016
Rob was a fighter throughout life & dedicated public servant who will be remembered for his courage, love for Toronto & his family. 1/2
— Stephen Harper (@stephenharper) March 22, 2016
Laureen and I offer our deepest condolences to the Ford family. 2/2
— Stephen Harper (@stephenharper) March 22, 2016
Ford’s city council allies express sympathy:
My hope is that Torontonians will remember Rob Ford for his accomplishments and unswerving dedication to our city. #RIPRobFord
— Norm Kelly (@norm) March 22, 2016
Deeply saddened to hear of Rob Ford's passing. My condolences are w/ his family. His unique love for our city will never be forgotten.
— Mark Grimes (@Mark_Grimes) March 22, 2016
Rest in Peace Rob. You fought hard and cared for the city you loved. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/NfjiJEJ11I
— Gary Crawford (@CllrCrawford) March 22, 2016
Rob Ford’s former staffers take a moment to reflect:
My condolences to Renata, Dougie, Stephanie & the entire Ford family.
— Mark Towhey (@towhey) March 22, 2016
I'm going to miss you Rob. #RIPRobFord
— Adrienne Batra (@AdrienneBatra) March 22, 2016
Rest in peace, Rob. pic.twitter.com/9Mu1FTeHZE
— George Christopoulos (@iamgeorgeTO) March 22, 2016
The Toronto Sun mourns its all-time favourite cover model:
Very saddened by death of Rob Ford. I will remember the Ford I knew: Compassionate, dedicated to taxpayers, principled & tenacious. #Fighter
— Sue-Ann Levy (@SueAnnLevy) March 22, 2016
Rip rob ford
— Joe Warmington (@joe_warmington) March 22, 2016
Heartbreaking end to Rob Ford's story. My column on the death of Rob Ford https://t.co/GJNANKzf3M #TOpoli pic.twitter.com/ZesPdzUHNp
— Don Peat (@reporterdonpeat) March 22, 2016
Ford’s celebrity friends weigh in:
Condolences to the family and fans of @TorontoRobFord – an unforgettable guy who loved his job and city like few men I've met.
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) March 22, 2016
RIP #RobFord. He was a flawed man but we're all flawed & broken in various ways. Don't judge his failings but remember his humanity.
— Michael Coren (@michaelcoren) March 22, 2016
ROB FORD GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) March 22, 2016
And so do Ford’s enemies:
I'm sad to hear Stephanie and Douglas lost their dad today. I know that pain too well. My condolences to Rob Ford's family and friends.
— Adam C-F (@AdamCF) March 22, 2016
Life is precious. #RobFord showed us that it was worth fighting for but as a Buddhist I know his passing is another beginning. #RIP #Toronto
— Kristyn Wong-Tam (@kristynwongtam) March 22, 2016
Saddened by the passing of @TorontoRobFord Although we rarely voted the same way, I'll remember his joy in serving the public #topoli
— David Soknacki (@DavidSoknacki) March 22, 2016
Thinking of Councillor Ford's family and particularly his children. Terrible disease, cancer.
— David Miller T.O. (@iamdavidmiller) March 22, 2016
The Ford family has announced that former Mayor Rob Ford has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family, in particular with his children
— Adam Vaughan (@TOAdamVaughan) March 22, 2016
My sympathies to Rob's wife & children, his Mom, family & many dear friends & supporters. #RIPRobFord
— Shelley Carroll (@shelleycarroll) March 22, 2016
OMG I just realized Rob Ford was actually a terrific guy. Thanks, media!
— Jesse Brown (@JesseBrown) March 22, 2016
Rob Ford’s nephew tweets on behalf of the family:
Uncle Rob, You have fought the good fight long enough and now can rest in peace. Love you and will forever miss you. pic.twitter.com/3tIM0KZJdK
— Michael Ford (@MichaelFordTO) March 22, 2016
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It's hard to eulogize a guy like Rob Ford, who died today at age 46 after months of chemotherapy. He was a famous and (still, incredibly) widely beloved man with a wife and young children, but, at the same time, he was a notorious political figure responsible for four years of unprecedented ugliness at city hall. In the immediate aftermath of his passing, Toronto's political and media notables have virtually no choice but to weigh in. Here, a roundup of tweets from people struggling to find the right words to say about a man whose life and actions so often left them speechless.
The mayor acknowledges that Ford was a "human guy":
https://twitter.com/JohnTory/status/712298158034919424
Queen's Park offers its condolences:
https://twitter.com/brownbarrie/status/712299091527479297
https://twitter.com/Kathleen_Wynne/status/712301146283634688
JT and Stephen Harper agree on something:
https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/712316710926327808
https://twitter.com/stephenharper/status/712318098708234240
https://twitter.com/stephenharper/status/712318152768688129
Ford's city council allies express sympathy:
https://twitter.com/norm/status/712297511319420928
https://twitter.com/Mark_Grimes/status/712305420954632192
https://twitter.com/CllrCrawford/status/712305076602335233
Rob Ford's former staffers take a moment to reflect:
https://twitter.com/towhey/status/712296432317890560
https://twitter.com/AdrienneBatra/status/712294998679617537
https://twitter.com/iamgeorgeTO/status/712301941901152257
The Toronto Sun mourns its all-time favourite cover model:
https://twitter.com/SueAnnLevy/status/712310731421552640
https://twitter.com/joe_warmington/status/712293766024011777
https://twitter.com/reporterdonpeat/status/712325293780897792
Ford's celebrity friends weigh in:
https://twitter.com/jimmykimmel/status/712316751854219265
https://twitter.com/michaelcoren/status/712302511244382212
https://twitter.com/the_ironsheik/status/712301719275724800
And so do Ford's enemies:
https://twitter.com/AdamCF/status/712298044323196930
https://twitter.com/kristynwongtam/status/712303123839197184
https://twitter.com/DavidSoknacki/status/712299643791499265
https://twitter.com/iamdavidmiller/status/712298650353995777
https://twitter.com/TOAdamVaughan/status/712296369243947008
https://twitter.com/shelleycarroll/status/712298231741456385
https://twitter.com/JesseBrown/status/712318625135370240
Rob Ford's nephew tweets on behalf of the family:
https://twitter.com/MichaelFordTO/status/712294444943450114){kind=link}