Former Calgary councillor Dale Hodges passes away after lengthy illness at age of 82
Long-time former Calgary councillor Dale Hodges passed away Sunday. He was 82.
Hodges’ family issued a statement saying that he died peacefully at Agape Hospice following a lengthy illness.
First elected in Ward 1 in 1983, Hodges served 10 terms on council before retiring in 2013 due to health concerns.
During that time, he saw Calgary host the 1988 Winter Olympics, the construction of the northwest LRT and the expansion of numerous parks and athletic facilities.
He found himself back in council chambers in 2017, when the city announced that Bowmont Park in northwest Calgary was being renamed Dale Hodges Park.
That day, Hodges received a standing ovation from council.
“It’s a surprise,” he said, afterward. “I didn’t see it coming.”
Hodges played an important role in reclaiming land that used to be a gravel pit and transforming it into park space.
“It was a great honour,” he said, of his time on council. “It was a challenge [and] it certainly kept me occupied for 30 years.”
Hodges was popular among Calgary councillors and the former mayor.
“A masterful parliamentarian around this table, who was also incredibly devoted to community and community space,” said Mayor Nenshi.
However, the popular Calgary councillor did have his detractors.
He was targeted by the Hell’s Angels who attempted to blow up his home in Bowness.
That was because Hodges openly objected to the group opening a clubhouse in his ward.
Hodges is survived by his wife of 52 years, Yvonne, family and friends. A memorial service will be announced in the coming days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dale Hodges Graduate Scholarship in Political Science at https://engage.ucalgary.ca/Dale-Hodges-Graduate-Scholarship.
With files from Michael Franklin and Alesia Fieldberg
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP alleges Indian officials in Canada connected to extortion, homicides
The RCMP is alleging Indian diplomats and consular officials based in Canada engaged in clandestine activities linked to serious criminal activity in this country, including homicides and extortions.
'A threat to all of us': Eby addresses RCMP allegations Indian officials linked to Canadian homicides, extortion
B.C. NDP leader David Eby took a break from campaigning Monday to address stunning new allegations from the RCMP that Indian diplomats and consular officials are linked to violent criminal activity on Canadian soil.
Ontario police say 'escalating incidents' between high schools connected to deadly crash
'Escalating incidents' between two Hamilton high schools are believed to be connected to a car crash last week that left a 15-year-old boy dead, police say.
'We apologize to anyone we've offended': Bath and Body Works pulls candles over backlash
A major American retailer has stopped selling its new winter-themed candle over backlash from shoppers who said its design resembled Ku Klux Klan hoods.
Scientists claim to solve centuries-old mystery of Christopher Columbus' origins
The 15th-century explorer Christopher Columbus was a Sephardic Jew from Western Europe, Spanish scientists said on Saturday, after using DNA analysis to tackle a centuries-old mystery.
Father of 10-year-old girl found dead in the U.K. called police from Pakistan to say he killed her
The father of a 10-year-old girl found dead in her home in England fled to Pakistan and called U.K. police from there to say he had killed her, a jury heard Monday.
Airbnb guests east of Toronto steal quarter of a million dollars worth of jewelry: police
Four guests at an Airbnb east of Toronto made off with a quarter of million dollars worth of jewelry following their stay, police say.
Pledges to cover fertility treatment as elections play out across Canada
As provincial elections play out in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick this month, there are pledges to provide more fertility treatment coverage.
Mass shootings share 'sketchy stories,' B.C. Conservative candidate claims in resurfaced social post
Embattled B.C. Conservative candidate Brent Chapman is under fire once again, this time for past Facebook comments casting doubt on the official accounts of mass shooting events in Canada and the U.S.