Former Mississauga mayor 'Hurricane' Hazel McCallion turns 100
Mississauga celebrated the former mayor's 100th birthday during a virtual meeting of Mississauga council's general committee.
Former Mississauga mayor 'Hurricane' Hazel McCallion turns 100
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WARMINGTON:There's 100 reasons why this Valentines Day is special in Mississauga
Author of the article:Joe Warmington
Publishing date:Feb 13, 2021 • 15 hours ago • 2 minute read
Former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion turns 100 on Valentine's Day. PHOTO BY JACK BOLAND /Toronto Sun
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There must be a 100 ways to celebrate this is a special day but there is only one Hazel McCallion!
It’s perfect Valentines Day is also her 100th birthday because everybody loves the Hurricane. And the legendary former Mississauga mayor is getting so much love this Feb. 14th 2021.
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“My house is already full of flowers,” the Hurricane said in an interview on her last day of needing just two digits to mark her age.
At the stroke of midnight she will need three.
“I am just happy to be alive,” she teased Saturday. “I am happy to be healthy.”
This will be one special Valentines Day for the political icon. There are plans for students to drop by the front of her Streetsville home to sing to her while many walk by her house to wave.
“If not for the pandemic I would be able to go out and thank people. I appreciate every one of them,” she said.
On Saturday they were already setting up a special ice carving statue for her front lawn and the Japanese Cultural Centre is planning a traditional meal for she and her children and grandchildren — some of whom will be there and some who will attend by skype.
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“It’s all wonderful,” said the mayor of Mississauga for 36 years, who started out as Streetsville’s reeve in 1967. “When I started all I thought about was growing Streetsville. I never dreamed all of what happened. I am proud of all of it but mostly proud of Mississauga and its people the most.”
When she got into politics, ironically, it was Canada’s 100th birthday.
“It was just fields in those days,” she said what is now a bustling, large, safe, prosperous and large Mississauga. “We grew it into becoming the sixth largest city in Canada where people have a great life.”
McCallion was at the helm for that success.
Born in Quebec she was also a trailblazer not only for women in politics but also to play hockey. She played pro hockey in the 1920s in Montreal and was known to go out for shinny into her 95th year.
It has been one remarkable life for the amazing Hazel.
“I just really love the people of Mississauga,” she said.
They love her back.
To think when she was born 100 years ago Arthur Meighen was Canada’s ninth prime minister. During her reign as Mississauga’s chief magistrate she outlasted 10 prime ministers. She’s not done yet.
“I am pretty busy,” she said of he 10 boards, companies or government committees she sits on or advises.
Too busy to slap on her skates she still has ready to go for the right day.
Perhaps COVID-19 will be over and she will celebrate her 101st with a game of shinny.
“You never know,” she said laughing.
With McCallion it won’t be a surprise if she does just that.
Happy 100th Birthday Hurricane Hazel!
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Joe Warmington
Publishing date:Feb 13, 2021 • 15 hours ago • 2 minute read
Former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion turns 100 on Valentine's Day. PHOTO BY JACK BOLAND /Toronto Sun
Article content
There must be a 100 ways to celebrate this is a special day but there is only one Hazel McCallion!
It’s perfect Valentines Day is also her 100th birthday because everybody loves the Hurricane. And the legendary former Mississauga mayor is getting so much love this Feb. 14th 2021.
Justin Timberlake apologizes to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson
Trackerdslogo
“My house is already full of flowers,” the Hurricane said in an interview on her last day of needing just two digits to mark her age.
At the stroke of midnight she will need three.
“I am just happy to be alive,” she teased Saturday. “I am happy to be healthy.”
This will be one special Valentines Day for the political icon. There are plans for students to drop by the front of her Streetsville home to sing to her while many walk by her house to wave.
“If not for the pandemic I would be able to go out and thank people. I appreciate every one of them,” she said.
On Saturday they were already setting up a special ice carving statue for her front lawn and the Japanese Cultural Centre is planning a traditional meal for she and her children and grandchildren — some of whom will be there and some who will attend by skype.
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“It’s all wonderful,” said the mayor of Mississauga for 36 years, who started out as Streetsville’s reeve in 1967. “When I started all I thought about was growing Streetsville. I never dreamed all of what happened. I am proud of all of it but mostly proud of Mississauga and its people the most.”
When she got into politics, ironically, it was Canada’s 100th birthday.
“It was just fields in those days,” she said what is now a bustling, large, safe, prosperous and large Mississauga. “We grew it into becoming the sixth largest city in Canada where people have a great life.”
McCallion was at the helm for that success.
Born in Quebec she was also a trailblazer not only for women in politics but also to play hockey. She played pro hockey in the 1920s in Montreal and was known to go out for shinny into her 95th year.
It has been one remarkable life for the amazing Hazel.
“I just really love the people of Mississauga,” she said.
They love her back.
To think when she was born 100 years ago Arthur Meighen was Canada’s ninth prime minister. During her reign as Mississauga’s chief magistrate she outlasted 10 prime ministers. She’s not done yet.
“I am pretty busy,” she said of he 10 boards, companies or government committees she sits on or advises.
Too busy to slap on her skates she still has ready to go for the right day.
Perhaps COVID-19 will be over and she will celebrate her 101st with a game of shinny.
“You never know,” she said laughing.
With McCallion it won’t be a surprise if she does just that.
Happy 100th Birthday Hurricane Hazel!
WARMINGTON:There's 100 reasons why this Valentines Day is special in Mississauga
There must be a 100 ways to celebrate this is a special day but there is only one Hazel McCallion!
WARMINGTON: Birthday wishes roll in as Hazel McCallion turns 100
Author of the article:Joe Warmington
Publishing date:Feb 14, 2021 • 17 hours ago • 3 minute read
Former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion is pictured on her front lawn on her 100th birthday. A large ice sculpture and pink flamingos helped mark the day, Feb. 14, 2021. PHOTO BY JACK BOLAND, TORONTO SUN /Toronto Sun
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Even at 100, Hazel McCallion would be in the Coach’s starting lineup.
“You better believe it,” said Don Cherry of his longtime pal known as the Hurricane. “She is as tough as nails.”
The legendary one-time coach of the big bad Boston Bruins said the iconic former Mississauga mayor could play hockey with the best of them. Long before women’s hockey was so popular in the Olympics, McCallion played pro in women’s leagues in Quebec.
McCallion has always led the pack in anything she participates in.
“She is incredible,” said Cherry. “I know of one time when she was on her way to a game in Quebec and she got hit by a truck. When everybody came to the scene, everybody was asking how the truck was doing?”
Hazel, of course, was still standing. The truck didn’t fare as well.
“I remember another time when I was down at the opening of a game in Toronto when the plan was she would go out for the opening skate,” said Grapes. “She was all set to it, too, until an assistant coach stepped in and said she couldn’t out of fear she could get hurt. Was she ever mad.”
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Grapes said while Hazel wouldn’t have been hurt, he couldn’t make any promises for the others on the rink.
Don Cherry is pictured with former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion in this 2005 photo. PHOTO BY JOE WARMINGTON /Toronto Sun
This is a special day for Hazel in that she is now a century old and having just turned 87 himself, Cherry said he’s not at all surprised at how much of a force she remains.
“She is made of special stuff,” said Cherry, who was one of the many to call McCallion to congratulate her on becoming a centenarian.
Plans are already in the works for her 101st birthday. She hopes the pandemic will be over, so she can get back on the blades for a game of shinny.
Grapes said he will be there if she does.
“She is such a loyal friend,” he added.
It’s not lost on him how few people stood up for him when he was run off of Coach’s Corner on Rogers Hockey Night in Canada on Remembrance Day 2019.
Hazel McCallion stuck up for Don and so did Bobby Orr.
“I was not surprised in a way because you had the best mayor and politician ever and the best ever hockey player,” Grapes said laughing.
Meanwhile, McCallion’s birthday included a surprise from friends who put 100 pink flamingos on her front lawn.
“She deserves it,” said longtime Toronto radio star and Toronto Sun columnist Ted Woloshyn who, with fellow McCallion friend, Zenon Skira, dropped by to see her on Sunday. “She has served so well for so long.
Wishing a very Happy 100th Birthday to my friend Hazel McCallion.
Today, officially known as Hazel McCallion Day in Ontario, we celebrate her honourable 36 year long career as the Mayor of Mississauga. pic.twitter.com/kYTKe0fEyz
— John Tory (@JohnTory) February 14, 2021
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This isn’t the first time the pink flamingos have made it to her lawn.
“Zenon did it for her 75th birthday, too,” said Ted.
Of course, this is the only thing pink about this rough-and-tumble right-winger whom Don Cherry and everybody else loves so much.
Many were also excited about a special ice sculpture wishing Hazel her 100th birthday. People were wondering if they could turn it on its side, so she could skate on it.
She has been looking at those skates in the closet lately. If not for the lockdown, she very well may have laced them up.
Happy 100th Birthday Hazel!
Today is extra special because we get to mark #HazelMcCallionDay & celebrate Mississauga's sweetheart's 100th birthday! Sending my dearest mentor & friend all the best as we celebrate her passion for life & commitment to working for others. #Hazel100 pic.twitter.com/ZyREkqhCJi
— Bonnie Crombie
(@BonnieCrombie) February 14, 2021
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McCallion has received messages from well-wishers abroad as well as closer to home. Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Toronto Mayor John Tory were among those sending out heart-felt tweets.
For her part, McCallion said her advise for people trying to get through the pandemic is to “just accept it” and “do what you can” to social distance. She added she wishes she could see her friends up close and personal.
If there’s no pandemic on her 101st birthday, the celebration may feature skates and a hockey stick.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Joe Warmington
Publishing date:Feb 14, 2021 • 17 hours ago • 3 minute read
Former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion is pictured on her front lawn on her 100th birthday. A large ice sculpture and pink flamingos helped mark the day, Feb. 14, 2021. PHOTO BY JACK BOLAND, TORONTO SUN /Toronto Sun
Article content
Even at 100, Hazel McCallion would be in the Coach’s starting lineup.
“You better believe it,” said Don Cherry of his longtime pal known as the Hurricane. “She is as tough as nails.”
The legendary one-time coach of the big bad Boston Bruins said the iconic former Mississauga mayor could play hockey with the best of them. Long before women’s hockey was so popular in the Olympics, McCallion played pro in women’s leagues in Quebec.
McCallion has always led the pack in anything she participates in.
“She is incredible,” said Cherry. “I know of one time when she was on her way to a game in Quebec and she got hit by a truck. When everybody came to the scene, everybody was asking how the truck was doing?”
Hazel, of course, was still standing. The truck didn’t fare as well.
“I remember another time when I was down at the opening of a game in Toronto when the plan was she would go out for the opening skate,” said Grapes. “She was all set to it, too, until an assistant coach stepped in and said she couldn’t out of fear she could get hurt. Was she ever mad.”
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STORY CONTINUES BELOW
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
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Grapes said while Hazel wouldn’t have been hurt, he couldn’t make any promises for the others on the rink.
Don Cherry is pictured with former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion in this 2005 photo. PHOTO BY JOE WARMINGTON /Toronto Sun
This is a special day for Hazel in that she is now a century old and having just turned 87 himself, Cherry said he’s not at all surprised at how much of a force she remains.
“She is made of special stuff,” said Cherry, who was one of the many to call McCallion to congratulate her on becoming a centenarian.
Plans are already in the works for her 101st birthday. She hopes the pandemic will be over, so she can get back on the blades for a game of shinny.
Grapes said he will be there if she does.
“She is such a loyal friend,” he added.
It’s not lost on him how few people stood up for him when he was run off of Coach’s Corner on Rogers Hockey Night in Canada on Remembrance Day 2019.
Hazel McCallion stuck up for Don and so did Bobby Orr.
“I was not surprised in a way because you had the best mayor and politician ever and the best ever hockey player,” Grapes said laughing.
Meanwhile, McCallion’s birthday included a surprise from friends who put 100 pink flamingos on her front lawn.
“She deserves it,” said longtime Toronto radio star and Toronto Sun columnist Ted Woloshyn who, with fellow McCallion friend, Zenon Skira, dropped by to see her on Sunday. “She has served so well for so long.
Wishing a very Happy 100th Birthday to my friend Hazel McCallion.
Today, officially known as Hazel McCallion Day in Ontario, we celebrate her honourable 36 year long career as the Mayor of Mississauga. pic.twitter.com/kYTKe0fEyz
— John Tory (@JohnTory) February 14, 2021
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This isn’t the first time the pink flamingos have made it to her lawn.
“Zenon did it for her 75th birthday, too,” said Ted.
Of course, this is the only thing pink about this rough-and-tumble right-winger whom Don Cherry and everybody else loves so much.
Many were also excited about a special ice sculpture wishing Hazel her 100th birthday. People were wondering if they could turn it on its side, so she could skate on it.
She has been looking at those skates in the closet lately. If not for the lockdown, she very well may have laced them up.
Happy 100th Birthday Hazel!
Today is extra special because we get to mark #HazelMcCallionDay & celebrate Mississauga's sweetheart's 100th birthday! Sending my dearest mentor & friend all the best as we celebrate her passion for life & commitment to working for others. #Hazel100 pic.twitter.com/ZyREkqhCJi
— Bonnie Crombie
(@BonnieCrombie) February 14, 2021Advertisement
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McCallion has received messages from well-wishers abroad as well as closer to home. Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Toronto Mayor John Tory were among those sending out heart-felt tweets.
For her part, McCallion said her advise for people trying to get through the pandemic is to “just accept it” and “do what you can” to social distance. She added she wishes she could see her friends up close and personal.
If there’s no pandemic on her 101st birthday, the celebration may feature skates and a hockey stick.
WARMINGTON: Birthday wishes roll in as Hazel McCallion turns 100
Even at 100, Hazel McCallion would be in the Coach’s starting lineup.