http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/22/rob-ford-dies-cancer-former-toronto-mayor
Pugnacious former mayor of Canada’s largest city has died after fighting cancer, his family confirms
Rob Ford, the pugnacious, populist former mayor of Toronto whose career crashed in a drug-driven, obscenity-laced debacle, died on Tuesday after fighting cancer, his family says. He was 46.
Ford rode into office on a backlash against urban elites. He cast an image sharply at odds with Canada’s reputation for sedate, unpretentious politics.
His tenure as mayor of the country’s largest city was marred by revelations about his drinking problems and illegal drug use. He was repeatedly videotaped and photographed while intoxicated in public.
Nevertheless, he was later elected by a landslide to a city council seat, a job he held until his death.
One after another, his statements and actions became nightly fodder for TV comedians and an embarrassment to many of the suburbanites he championed.
But his popularity continued. Even after a scandal broke about Ford’s use of crack, hundreds of people lined up for bobblehead dolls of the mayor, signed by Ford himself. Ford spent countless hours taking pictures with residents eager to be photographed with an international celebrity.
As he sought a second term as mayor in 2014, Ford was diagnosed with a rare cancer just two months before the election date. Malignant liposarcoma in his abdomen forced him to do what months of scandals could not drop his bid for re-election. He underwent a series of aggressive chemotherapy treatments.
“With heavy hearts and profound sadness, the Ford family announces the passing of their beloved son, brother, husband, and father, Councillor Rob Ford, earlier today at the age of 46,” a statement from his family said. “A dedicated man of the people, Councillor Ford spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto.”
Ford appealed to conservative-leaning, working-class suburban residents with his populist, common-man touch and with promises to slash spending, cut taxes and end what he called “the war on the car”. He first won as mayor by promising to “stop the gravy train” of government spending.
His supporters got perhaps more turmoil than they expected.
The international spotlight fell on Ford in May 2013, when Toronto Star and Gawker reported the existence of a video that appeared to show the mayor inhaling from a crack pipe. He denied the existence of the video but later backtracked when police said they had obtained it. Although he became the subject of a police investigation, Ford was never charged with a crime.
“Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine,” Ford told reporters after he stepped off an elevator. “But, no, do I? Am I addict? No. Have I tried it? Probably in one of my drunken stupors, probably approximately about a year ago.”
According to police interviews, members of Ford’s staff accused the mayor of frequently drinking, driving while intoxicated and making sexual advances toward a female staffer.
Ford drew gasps when he used crude language on live television to deny telling a staffer he wanted to have oral sex. The father of two school-age children said he was “happily married” and that he enjoys enough oral sex at home.
Pugnacious former mayor of Canada’s largest city has died after fighting cancer, his family confirms
Rob Ford, the pugnacious, populist former mayor of Toronto whose career crashed in a drug-driven, obscenity-laced debacle, died on Tuesday after fighting cancer, his family says. He was 46.
Ford rode into office on a backlash against urban elites. He cast an image sharply at odds with Canada’s reputation for sedate, unpretentious politics.
His tenure as mayor of the country’s largest city was marred by revelations about his drinking problems and illegal drug use. He was repeatedly videotaped and photographed while intoxicated in public.
Nevertheless, he was later elected by a landslide to a city council seat, a job he held until his death.
One after another, his statements and actions became nightly fodder for TV comedians and an embarrassment to many of the suburbanites he championed.
But his popularity continued. Even after a scandal broke about Ford’s use of crack, hundreds of people lined up for bobblehead dolls of the mayor, signed by Ford himself. Ford spent countless hours taking pictures with residents eager to be photographed with an international celebrity.
As he sought a second term as mayor in 2014, Ford was diagnosed with a rare cancer just two months before the election date. Malignant liposarcoma in his abdomen forced him to do what months of scandals could not drop his bid for re-election. He underwent a series of aggressive chemotherapy treatments.
“With heavy hearts and profound sadness, the Ford family announces the passing of their beloved son, brother, husband, and father, Councillor Rob Ford, earlier today at the age of 46,” a statement from his family said. “A dedicated man of the people, Councillor Ford spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto.”
Ford appealed to conservative-leaning, working-class suburban residents with his populist, common-man touch and with promises to slash spending, cut taxes and end what he called “the war on the car”. He first won as mayor by promising to “stop the gravy train” of government spending.
His supporters got perhaps more turmoil than they expected.
The international spotlight fell on Ford in May 2013, when Toronto Star and Gawker reported the existence of a video that appeared to show the mayor inhaling from a crack pipe. He denied the existence of the video but later backtracked when police said they had obtained it. Although he became the subject of a police investigation, Ford was never charged with a crime.
“Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine,” Ford told reporters after he stepped off an elevator. “But, no, do I? Am I addict? No. Have I tried it? Probably in one of my drunken stupors, probably approximately about a year ago.”
According to police interviews, members of Ford’s staff accused the mayor of frequently drinking, driving while intoxicated and making sexual advances toward a female staffer.
Ford drew gasps when he used crude language on live television to deny telling a staffer he wanted to have oral sex. The father of two school-age children said he was “happily married” and that he enjoys enough oral sex at home.
....oh I thought you made a reference bout" snow this week in NYC to his coke/Crack addiction 
my bad
