I consider myself fortunate that I don’t have to live in Canada, let alone Toronto. In spite of that, or perhaps because of it, I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart and head for Rob Ford. Not that I would’ve voted for him to be mayor, or even dog-catcher. And of course, I don’t condone the abuse of drugs and alcohol if I’m not invited. But the guy was never, ever boring.
After Ford left office in 2014, he was asked how his mayoralty would be remembered: “They’re going to remember it the way they want to remember it. A lot of it’s, you know, personal choice. People know that I saved a lot of money and people are going to know that I had a few personal struggles and so you can remember it for what you want, but they’re definitely going to remember it.”
And that we will.
Rob Ford squeezed more out of life in 46 short years than most of us ever will. I’m genuinely sad that he’s dead. For all his faults and frailties, I couldn’t help but like the guy.
Rest in peace, Rob Ford. You were truly one of a kind.