James L. McIntyre (Canadian politician)

James McIntyre
17th Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
In office January 1, 1960 – December 31, 1964
Preceded by	Walter Harry
Succeeded by	Alexander C. Harry
Alderman, Ward 1
In office January 1, 1958 – December 31, 1959
Chair of the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority
In office November 2014 – February 11, 2015
Personal details
Born	James Lloyd McIntyre (1926-07-12)July 12, 1926[1] Winnipeg, Manitoba
Died	February 11, 2015(2015-02-11) (aged 88) Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
Nationality	Canada
Spouse(s)	Mary Gallivan[2]
Children	6

James Lloyd McIntyre (July 12, 1926 - February 11, 2015) was the 17th mayor of the city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. During his three terms from 1960 to 1964 he helped lead a period of transition for the city, including securing the location and construction of the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, deindustrialization of the downtown waterfront, waste water treatment, and amalgamation of Korah and Tarentorus townships into the city.^[3]

Prior to being elected mayor, he served as a city alderman for Ward 1 from 1958 to 1959.^[4][5] After leaving municipal politics in 1964, McIntyre continued to be involved in civic affairs serving as chair of the police commission, the board of the Sault General Hospital and the District Health Council. He also served on the board of the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority for over fifty years, including as chair of the board from 2014 until his death in 2015. He was chosen to serve on provincial and federal task forces, including negotiations on self-government for Canada's First Nations.^[6] He was a recipient of the City of Sault Ste. Marie's Medal of Merit in 1988 for his "outstanding contributions" to the city.^[7][8]

McIntyre died on February 11, 2015, the result of an accident in downtown Sault Ste. Marie.^[9]

Death and tributes

On the morning of Wednesday, February 11, 2015, McIntyre was struck by a reversing loader that was clearing snow from the parking lot of a Bay Street hotel near his home. Despite efforts by firefighters and paramedics, McIntyre succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead at the scene.^[10]

Investigations by the Sault Ste Marie Police Service and the Ontario Ministry of Labour resulted in no charges being laid. After speaking with a number of witnesses, police concluded that the "threshold for (a) criminal charge just isn't there," and ministry officials decided that "charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act would not be laid as there was no reasonable prospect of conviction."^[11]

A funeral mass was held at Precious Blood Cathedral in Sault Ste. Marie on Wednesday, February 18, 2015.^[12]

Tributes

Immediately following his passing, McIntyre was remembered for his decency, professionalism and long service to his community.

In a statement, city mayor Christian Provenzano described him as "a kind man who cared deeply about our community ... We are grateful for Mayor McIntyre's long and tremendous legacy of service to Sault Ste. Marie."^[13] Former mayor Steve Butland described him as "one of those individuals, when he came into a room, the respect was immediately there," adding "[his] commitment to Sault Ste. Marie ... I don't know if it's unparalleled, but it's up there with [former mayors] John Rhodes, John Roswell and other people who have passed on."^[14]

A statement by Phil Becker, general manager of the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge Authority described McIntyre as a gentleman whose "integrity - as expressed many times in his firm but fair approach to bridge business - is beyond measure."^[15] At its meeting on February 19, the board of the bridge authority passed a resolution commemorating McIntyre's long work on behalf of the bridge and the people served by it.^[16]

Micheline Dubé, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Bridge Corporation described being "in awe of his lifetime contribution and more remarkable, well into his eighties, he continued to outpace most Canadians in his passion for serving his community and Canada."^[17]

Flags at municipal facilities in Sault Ste. Marie were half-masted on February 12, 2015 until McIntyre's funeral six days later.

Several months after his passing, the Michigan Department of Transportation, which owns the American span of the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, announced that McIntyre's contributions to the bridge would be honoured in a display in the lobby of the department's headquarters in Lansing - the first time a Canadian's individual contributions were so-honoured.^[18]

One year following his death, Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge Authority announced that the board room of its new administration building would be named after McIntyre in recognition of his long service to the board and as its chairman.^[19] In February 2017, the Federal Bridge Corporation announced that a new service building at the Canadian bridge plaza would be named in honour of McIntyre. In their press release, the Authority noted the prominence of the new building saying, "Every single traveler across the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, northbound or southbound has a clear view of this building. It is the first Canadian building viewed as one enters Canada and the last one seen as you cross the international bridge into the United States."^[20] The formal naming ceremony is planned for the spring of 2017.

When a city committee examining a suitable way to honour McIntyre met with his daughter in August 2016, possibilities included renaming the Centennial Library, the Police Services headquarters or the parkette across from the international bridge.^[21]

Electoral Results

McIntyre was first elected to a two-year term as a Councillor (then alderman) for the city's Ward 1 on December 2, 1957.

He was subsequently elected to three two-year terms as mayor. He was first elected in 1959 over three other candidates including two fellow city councillors. He was re-elected in 1961 and 1963. Eleven years later he made an unsuccessful bid for the mayor's office finishing second behind long-time alderman Nick Trbovich.

Mayor

References