CONDOLENCE MOTION

Moved by: Councillor Michael Thompson

Seconded by: Mayor Rob Ford

The Mayor and Members of City Council are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Leonard Braithwaite on March 28, 2012, at the age of 88.

Born in Toronto in 1923, Mr. Braithwaite led a trailblazing life as a Royal Canadian Air Force veteran, Harvard business school graduate, lawyer and respected parliamentarian. Following his military service in WWII, he returned to school, earning a commerce and finance degree at the University of Toronto and an MBA at Harvard, rare in that era for a Canadian of African descent.

Enrolling at Osgoode Hall in 1953, he was elected class president in his first year and president of the student body in his fourth, receiving the prestigious Gold Key for leadership upon graduation. After establishing a small law practice in , Mr. Braithwaite was elected School Trustee in 1960 and Alderman two years later. In 1963, he became ’s, and ’s, first Black parliamentarian when he won a seat in the Ontario legislature, a seat he would hold for three terms.

In 1975, he returned to municipal politics, earning a seat on Etobicoke’s Board of Control, and continued to practice law. Mr. Braithwaite was a member of the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada, and he was the first Black bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Leonard Braithwaite’s achievements are legion. Regarded as a mentor by many and respected for his intelligence, quiet perseverance and dignity by all, he leaves an indelible mark on the City, Province and people that he loved and served.

The City Clerk is requested to convey, on behalf of the Members of Toronto City Council, our sincere sympathy and deepest respects to Leonard Braithwaite’s sons, Roger and David Braithwaite.

May 8, 2012