Long time Calgary politician passes away

Tributes are continuing to pour in about a man who gave much of life to public service and the people of Calgary.

Jon Lord passed away from a heart attack late Tuesday night at the age of 57.

The businessman is the third alderman to pass away in recent weeks, after Sue Higgins and Barb Scott.

The news has come as a shock to many who knew him, worked with him and saw him in and around the Marda Loop area.

It was from there that he ran a successful business, Casablanca Video, which served as the centre to many of his operations for more than 3 decades.

Staff this morning learned the news as they came in to start the work day.

Friend and fellow Conservative Craig Chandler was one of the first to break the news across social media.

 

No one was more caught off guard than Wildrose Calgary Fish Creek MLA Heather Forsyth, who served with Lord in the legislature as a Progressive Conservative under Ralph Klein.

Forsyth recently had coffee with the always outspoken politician and had seen him as recently as last week. “We had a long conversation and talked about his business that he was very proud of, his run for Mayor and we were looking at what we was going to do next,” she tells 660News. “Whether politics was still in his future or whether he would go back into business… I guess looking for some guidance as we have known each other for a long time, spirits were good and he looked great.” “He always, always, always stood up for his constitiuents,” she recalls. “Very passionate, never backed down from a good argument or as he worded it ‘a discussion.'” She fondly recalls the caucus at the time as one of free speech and where Conservative values matters. An outspoken MLA herself, she’s hoping people remember him for his passion. “He was just genuinely a good guy, I’m totally shocked at what’s going on right now.” Sentiments echoed by other members of the house, including Premier Hancock who also served alongside him.

 

Former colleague around the council table Dale Hodges describes Lord as a man who often times stood alone.

“In many ways he was very much an isolated figure on council,” the former Ward 1 alderman remembers. “He was a friendly enough person when you got to know him but he was a bit strident about his particular point of view.”

“It was quite a surprise,” admits Hodges. “Besides representing his area he was not in favour, to say the least of bigger government and some of the city’s policies. “Though we don’t have political parties on council, he was certainly the most “right” of the day.”

Former Ward Three alderman John Schmal says small business in the city never had a stronger advocate.

“Anytime he could talk about reducing taxes for businesses, that always came up and that was good not everyone would do that, so that was a good balance on city council,” says Schmal. “He was very fair, especially in representing his ward. He wanted to make sure he looked after people’s concerns, I just thought that he was quite a good guy to work with and I had no problem working with him at all.”

Schmal fondly remembered how Lord spear-headed a project to dim the streets lights to make the city more energy efficient.

Ward Five’s Ray Jones served alongside Lord and was shocked to hear the news.

“This is the third former member of council in the last month…. this is unbelievable,” he says. “He was really concerned about his residents and tried to do as much for them as he could, he was compassionate about his job.” “He put his views forth and was never afraid to express his opinion,” adds Jones. “He brought more things to council than probably all the other councillors combined.” Ward Eight’s Evan Wooley now occupies the seat that had at one point been occupied by Lord. “Very shocking news, abosutely unfortunate,” he says. “Jon had represented the ward here. I grew up renting movies and still do to this day, Casablanca Video. My deepest condolences over what’s happened. Mayor Naheed Nenshi also weighing in on the former politician and at one point rival in the 2013 Mayoral race.

 

In an email, Nenshi writes:

Below is a statement from Mayor Naheed Nenshi on the sudden passing of Jon Lord. Mayor Nenshi will also be at the opening of the new Seton Multi-Services Station later today and will be available to speak with media at the conclusion of that event (http://www.calgary.ca/_layouts/cocis/CalendarEvent.aspx?id=1638).

From Mayor Nenshi:

“I was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Jon Lord.

Jon was a community-builder in the truest sense of the word. His legacy—in Alberta, Calgary, and especially Marda Loop—cannot be understated. As a business owner, alderman, and MLA, he was a tireless advocate on many issues, often as an innovator. His belief in the power of entrepreneurship led him to public service; he understood that government is there to serve its citizens and that we need people with fresh ideas at the table if we want positive change in our community.

I knew Jon well and I was happy to get to know him better during the last two mayoral elections. In fact, I recall first learning that he would be running again for mayor in 2013, and I can honestly say that I was very pleased. Jon was the kind of person you want to debate—he presents valuable ideas and forces you to test your own. It was an honour to have him as a challenger because he pushed all of us to be better.

Jon was committed to serving the citizens of our city. He took on leadership roles because he knew it was the right thing to do.. Even if you didn’t see eye to eye with him on a particular issue, the debate was always respectful. Our city has lost a champion, and far too soon. He will be greatly missed.”

Calgary Centre Member of Parliament Joan Crockatt has known Lord personally and professional for more than 20 years.

Lord even ran against her for the Conservative nominiation in 2012.

“A huge loss of someone who was just so engaged here in Calgary,” she says. “I’ve known him through the full gambit, he was always a gentleman, gregarious and it was never like rivals … it was for the betterment of conservatism.

“He cared about people, he cared about politics and was someone you could count on to be there as a sharp mind at the table,” Crockatt adds. “We should remember him as a kind, caring person who gave back to his community through his political life.”

Canada’s Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism Jason Kenney also weighing in over Twitter.

 

Friends tell 660News plans are underway for a public memorial.