Former Halifax mayor Walter Fitzgerald dies at 78

Walter Fitzgerald, former cabinet minister and mayor of Halifax, has died at the age of 78.

Fitzgerald was a larger than life character, a school teacher and principal turned politician, who everyone knew as ‘Googie.’

He was first elected as mayor of Halifax in 1971.

Gloria McCluskey served as the mayor of Dartmouth and Fitzgerald’s counterpart.

“I just think of Walter as a fun loving person,” she says. “Certainly not pretentious, and a people person.”

Fitzgerald passed away early Saturday morning in hospital.

He is remembered as someone who loved people and fun.

Fitzgerald was the last mayor of the old city of Halifax, and first mayor of the new municipality until 2000.

In the years between he served as an MLA and cabinet minister.

“First time I saw him campaigning for mayor in 1971in the smallest car you can imagine,” says Gerry Regan, former liberal premier.

Regan recruited Fitzgerald to provincial politics.

“I felt he would strengthen out team,” he explains. “We had won the first election in ’70 with a very narrow margin and with Walter as a candidate and some other changes, we won in ’74 with 21 or 32 seats, so we were in a much better position and Walter was a magic part of that. He was very good.”

Fitzgerald continued to serve in the legislature under John Buchanan.

Although the two represented opposing parties, they played ice hockey together on the same team.

Fitzgerald made a difference in the lives of many, and he’s being remembered as an honorable man with a zest for people, politics and life.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelland Sundahl.