Hazel McCallion Obituary

Hazel McCallion, a Canadian businesswoman and politician who served as the fifth mayor of Mississauga, Ontario, from 1978 until 2014 has died.

McCallion was first elected in November 1978, and is the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history.

She retired in 2014, at which time she had served for 36 years.

McCallion was a successful candidate in twelve municipal elections, having been acclaimed twice and re-elected ten other times.

Nicknamed “Hurricane Hazel” by her followers because of her outspoken political style,  McCallion was first elected mayor in 1978, defeating popular incumbent Ron Searle by about 3,000 votes.

Prior to that, she unsuccessfully campaigned for the position of deputy reeve in 1964.

She was elected as Streetsville’s mayor in 1970, and served until 1973.

She also served on the executive of many federal and provincial committees and associations.

She was the first chancellor of Sheridan College.

Hazel was married to Sam McCallion from 1951 until his death in 1997; he died of Alzheimer’s disease.

Hazel McCallion was born on February 14, 1921 and died on January 29, 2023 at age 101.

Hazel McCallion is survived by three children; sons Peter McCallion and Paul McCallion and daughter Linda McCallion.