By Doug Draper
In the wake of the sad news this March 30 that Niagara, Ontario political icon Peter Kormos, the Niagara regional councillor and former Ontario MPP, was found dead in his Welland home, the tributes have been pouring in from other political leaders and ordinary citizens alike.
Long-time Niagara, Ontario political leader Peter Kormos
“This is a very sad day for Welland and Niagara,” said St. Catharines regional councillor Andy Petrowski in a statement he prepared before hosting a two-hour tribute and phone-in program for Kormos on CKTB radio this March 31. “I have come to know Peter as a very kind and genuine man, a true friend who demonstrated extraordinary bravery and dignity in the face of his health challenges,” added Petrowski in the statement. “Ontario has truly lost one of its most professional and dedicated public servants. I will miss my seat mate on Regional Council and my co-host on local radio. May God be with him.”
Numerous people from across Niagara called the radio program, which is called ‘The Region’ and which Kormos co-hosted with Petrowski each Sunday up to this one since its launch earlier this winter, with stories about how much Kormos did to help them with a problem they had, whether they lived in his riding or voted for him or not, or how much he did to inspire them to get involved in public affairs.
“Such a shock,” said Fiona McMurran, a Welland resident and public activist who is also a Niagara area representative for the Ottawa-based Council of Canadians in a note to Niagara At Large. “What an enormous loss to Welland, to the NDP, and to all of us. We shall not see his like again.”
“It’s the very saddest of days when we lose a great humanitarian and friend of “We the People,” added Sue Salzer, a Fort Erie resident and leading citizen advocate for quality, accessible hospital services in Niagara, an objective Kormos also fought hard for during his many years as an MPP. “The death of Peter will affect so very many people whose lives he reached out to and touched.”
Gary Burroughs, chair of Niagara’s regional government took time out from the Easter weekend to post the following on the Region’s website; “I am saddened by the loss of our colleague Peter Kormos, and on behalf of Regional Council extend condolences to his family and friends.
“Peter was a tireless advocate for the residents of Welland and represented them with a tenacity and flare that is rare in Canadian politics,” Burroughs added. “He was a staunch defender of democracy and fairness, and these principles were at the heart of every cause he championed. … A skilled debater, Peter’s style was both effective and entertaining, earning him respect and the admiration of both foes and friends. His voice and contributions to the work of Regional Council will be greatly missed.”
The tributes also came in from leaders of all three provincial parties in Ontario.
From Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath, who worked with Peter in the party until he retired from provincial politics (after more than 25 years) a year a a half ago, came this: “Peter was a legend in politics, and a champion for his fellow Wellanders, and the people of Niagara. New Democrats, and Ontarians across the province, have lost a giant today and I’ve lost a mentor and friend,” she said.
“Peter earned the respect of everyone he met regardless of political stripe,” Horwath added. “He never minced words and he never put on airs. Peter treated everyone equally whether he was speaking with eloquence on the floor of the Legislature, or shooting the breeze with his friends at the Welland market. Peter Kormos was the genuine article and truly one of a kind. He made a difference in people’s lives and left behind a pair of cowboy boots that will never be filled. … “He will be missed. Our thoughts are with his mother, siblings and the many friends and allies who will carry on his work.”
Peter Kormos and the province’s Conservative leader Tim Hudak may have been politicial adversaries over the years, but Hudak had this to say in a statement he circulated this March 30; “I was saddened today to learn of the passing of Peter Kormos. Peter was MPP for Welland – a neighbouring constituency of mine – for many years. Yet we shared more than electoral boundaries. We shared Slovak origins,” he said.
“Although we were not close friends, we had that bond of heritage, which transcends politics. Through his many kind gestures, I always had the feeling he was aware of this…. I felt it because Peter was one of those rare Parliamentarians who simply dropped the partisanship at the door on the way out of Queen’s Park at the end of the day. He was friendly, funny, compassionate and thoughtful.”
“But Peter was also a tenacious fighter for the things he believed in,” Hudak added. “Eloquent, informed, by turns fiery and analytical. He was an iconic figure in the New Democratic Party, and beyond. Peter represented true democratic representation at its best.
“It’s rarely said – and in the best sense of the phrase – by politicians these days when speaking of someone so diametrically opposed in beliefs and convictions, but I can say with sad confidence on this day, ‘We shall not see his like again’,” concluded the Ontario Conservative leader. “My sincerest condolences to Peter’s family and friends.”
Ontario Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne offered these words; “I was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Peter Kormos, former MPP for Welland and Niagara Centre,” she said. “Since I first entered provincial politics, Peter was the person to watch when it came to representing your constituents and your cause with passion, intelligence and dedication. He was a supportive friend, and I will miss his presence and his profound understanding of parliamentary procedure.”
“Peter was a man who never stopped fighting for what he believed in, and he firmly stood his ground within his party and in the face of any opposition. He was a passionate advocate of equality, and an important ally of the working class,” added the premier. “Regardless of political party or ideological stripe, we owe a debt of gratitude to those who dedicate their lives to public service and I thank Peter for all he did as an elected representative, both in the provincial legislature and on the Niagara Regional council. … “My thoughts are with his loved ones, his friends and community, and his extended NDP family.”
Niagara At Large will continue to post news on the life and times of Peter Kormos and upcoming plans to memorialize him, when those plans are set in the days ahead.
In the meantime, we encourage you to share your thoughts on Peter Kormos in the comment space below.
(Niagara At Large invites you to join in the conservation by sharing your views on the content of this post below. For reasons of transparency and promoting civil dialogue, NAL only posts comments from individuals who share their first and last name with their views.)
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I remember when I worked for years at Fantom, he was there for us when the place closed and moved elsewhere leaving 450 people out of work….unfortunately things didn’t work out for all of us there no matter how hard we fought to keep it from closing, but at least he was there which is more than I can say for other local politicians who just stood by and ignored us as well as other companies that left this area….I always voted for Peter and he ALWAYS seemed to get re-elected and usually by a landslide, so that tells you that he was in fact a benefit to Welland and the people in it…..He was always in the Rose Parade I’d like to add as well and the Rose Parade will never be the same without Peter climbing out of the car he was sitting on and shaking people’s hands along the route…Welland has indeed taken a beating over the years with companies leaving and with more to come I’m sure, and this is just another blow to our area and all that are in it…A sad day definitely…He will truly be missed.
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Doug, is there a chance you could dig up a picture from when a very young Peter protested Sherkston beach being privatized? He had long curly hair as I remember and the pictures from that event are quite memorable. There is a short video too. Grief has it’s place but knowing Peter he would rather we remembered his causes and he did have some fun looking back on them no matter the outcome. Too bad all politcians are’nt more like Peter.
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I apologize as I just saw your earlier post with the picture I was asking for and I remembered incorrectly about his hair being curly. As usual, you are very thorough and I am lagging way behind. Great picture! Wish I had a dollar for every time I saw a person I cared about being hauled away by police during a protest, including my mother! Try explaining to your young daughters why the policeman was helping Nana across the road when they were watching our first television set {black and white} just before their alloted TV time as the news was ending. It was a different protest but the passion was always sincere. Of course, when they were older they would go with Nana. Our family has some good memories of Peter and his determination. He never had any derriere dents from sitting on fences.
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r.i.p. peter im one fellow ontarioian that will never forget you and wont forget one time what you have done for me i wanted to thank you personally one day but never got the chance and looks like ill never get that chance . so here i go THANK YOU PETER i was hoping one day youd become our priemier of ontario but god called you home way to soon . u are one politician i will always have respect for. and stood for us ontarioians . to peters family and friends and his children thank you for allowing peter to be what he wanted to be to peters parents a great big thank you for making him the man he was and is and another thank you for the people that voted and elected peter as the mpp of welland ontario this is a fellow ontarioian that will miss him dearly . r.i.p. peter kormos . god brought him home broke alot of hearts caused alot of tears hurt and pain but he can never take or break what only peter gave his love to us all ill always look up and see peter in the night sky shining bright . again r.i.p. peter our only king of m.p.p.
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