Members of the late Rob Ford’s family and City officials unveil park in the former Mayor’s honour. Photo CTV News.
The City marked the late Mayor Rob Ford’s 55th birthday by renaming a stadium at Centennial Park the Rob Ford Stadium.
City officials, the Ford family and hundreds of well-wishers, gathered at Centennial Park on May 28 to unveil a sign renaming the stadium, where the late politician and Etobicoke native spent many cherished hours.
Rob was the beloved coach of the Don Bosco Eagles during his time at Toronto’s City Hall. City council voted to rename the Etobicoke stadium in honour of the popular mayor in December 2023. Some of his former Eagles players were in attendance.
Mayor Olivia Chow with the late Rob Ford’s wife Renata (centre) and children Stephanie and son Doug. Photo CTV News.
Area councillor Stephen Holyday hosted the unveiling as supporters cheered. Many represented the so-called ‘Ford Nation,’ who devotedly supported the former Ward 2 Etobicoke North Councillor before he became Toronto mayor from 2010 to 2014.
Rob’s daughter Stephanie said her dad spent many wonderful hours at the park coaching his team.
“If anything were to be named after my father, this stadium would be the most fitting,” Stephanie said. “It represents his love for Etobicoke and how much he did for the people as mayor, but also what he did for his second love – football.”
She remembered her father’s dedication to the players, helping them succeed outside of the game.
The late Rob Ford and brother Premier Doug Ford back in the day taking part in the sport that they loved.
Premier Doug Ford said Rob loved football and believed in his players.
“A lot of his players went on to succeed in life,” Doug recalled. “He knew not everyone was good at academic skills.”
The family will cherish the local park was renamed after Rob and “it just means absolutely everything to us,” he said.
Mayor Olivia Chow said Rob sat beside her late husband Jack Layton at City Hall and they loved to talk about football.
“I know how it feels to have someone pass away at a young age,” Chow said. “I know how difficult it is to lose someone so prematurely. He was young,”
Rob was the beloved coach of the Don Bosco Eagles for many years.
She said Rob was instrumental in paying tribute to Layton by the naming the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, for which her family will always be grateful for.
Rob Ford’s tenure as the City of Toronto’s 64th mayor was marred by controversy. He passed away from cancer at the age of 46 in March 2016.
He was well known for personally visiting many Ontario Housing projects and talking to residents living there and was there to help them. Rob was famed for personally answering his phone when voters called or always called back if not available.