Ronald Wallace (politician)

Ronald Wallace, CM (August 5, 1916 – May 20, 2008)[1] was a Canadian politician and optometrist. Wallace is the longest-serving mayor of the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Ronald Wallace MLA, C.M.
Wallace with Titanic survivor Louise Pope at a Fairview Lawn Cemetery wreath-laying in 1991
Mayor of Halifax
In office 1980–1991
Preceded by	Ronald Hanson
Succeeded by	Moira Leiper Ducharme
MLA for Halifax Citadel
In office 1970–1978
Preceded by	Donald MacKeen Smith
Succeeded by	Art Donahoe
Personal details
Born	August 5, 1916 Halifax, Nova Scotia
Died	May 20, 2008(2008-05-20) (aged 91) Halifax, Nova Scotia
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Julia Patricia McColough ​ ​ (m. 1948)​
Profession	optometrist

Wallace was one of fifteen children born to Thomas John Wallace and Ada Evangeline Wallace, formerly MacNeil. He graduated from Saint Mary's University in 1939. He was the intercollegiate boxing champion, and a champion rower. His brother Dan was also a Maritime heavyweight boxing champion and a champion rower, and as a Rhodes scholar and rowed for Oxford University.

Wallace served two terms as the Liberal member for Halifax in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1970 to 1978. He was elected mayor of Halifax in 1980 and served until his retirement in 1991. He served as mayor longer than any other, and was known for his fairness, good humor and visionary approach to improving his beloved city. He was made a member of the Order of Canada in 2001.[2][3]

Wallace married Julia Patricia McColough, daughter of Reginald Walker McColough, Director of Public Works for the Parliament of Canada. Together they had six children; Barbara Wallace, Suzanne Wallace, Mary Beth Wallace, Ian Wallace, Mark Wallace and Jennifer Wallace.[4] He died at his home in Halifax on May 20, 2008, at the age of ninety-one after suffering from cancer and pneumonia.[2][1]