Former Etobicoke Reeve H. O. (Ozzie) Waffle was an Royal Canadian Air Force veteran, car salesman and top booster of our community in a time of expansion.
Waffle, the owner of Islington Ford dealership at Dundas St. W. and Islington Ave. for more than 40-years, was a Reeve for the township of Etobicoke from 1957 to 1962, when things were booming.
He is timely today since during his two terms Etobicoke was busy catering to a post-war population explosion that led to the township offices being moved to a new civic centre at 399 The West Mall, which served us well for more than 50-years.
The Etobicoke centre is being moved again to the former Westwood Theatre site at Six Points. The new location will be closer to transit and is slated to include a recreation centre, library, child care centre, public square and improved office space.
Waffle loved flight and served as chair of the Metro Civil Defence Organization and Queensway Hospital. It was under his tenure in 1958 that a young Queen Elizabeth visited Etobicoke to be met by thousands of her adoring subjects.
He is described ‘as a self-appointed leader of his community,’ for helping others during Hurricane Hazel in October 1954, when he organized a shortwave radio communications centre during the flooding to help others obtain clothing, food supplies and fuel.
“He helped to provide emergency heating for the children’s hospital and as one of Etobicoke’s leading auto dealers, got a truck convoy system working,” according to news at the time.
Waffle made a name for himself in 1958 by voting for a monorail system, rather than a subway, which was approved by Metro Council. Then Toronto Mayor Nathan Phillips was pushing for a subway which council approved 16 to 8.
Waffle, and partner, George Ledingham, started Islington Ford in 1946 after returning from military service after WW11. The dealership was merged with others in 1985 to create Thorncrest Sherway Inc.
He passed away in March 1980 and a tribute was paid to him in the Ontario Legislature for his love for Etobicoke.
“He was a great salesman for Etobicoke,” MPP John Palmer MacBeth said in the House. “He put Etobicoke on the map in the days of its expansion.”
MacBeth said: ”I guess there wasn’t a conference around Canada he didn’t attend and make well known where he was from. He was a builder in Etobicoke, a man of optimism.”
He said Waffle suffered from a debilitating disease that kept him handicapped for the last 10 years of his life, and yet continued to contribute to the welfare of the community.