Walter Ronald Fitzgerald

Born in Halifax, Walter was the son of the late Phylis (Rondeau Brown) and Walter Fitzgerald. He attended Halifax County, Halifax City Public Schools, and Dalhousie University. From an early age, Walter was an enthusiastic, active participant in his community. His leadership qualities showed from his early schools days; as a multi-disciplined athlete, as student council representative, as Head Boy at Queen Elizabeth High School.

At Dalhousie, Walter was involved in Student Union activities, and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Walter captained the Dalhousie Varsity Hockey team (which he later coached). Walter played Varsity Football, track and field and he helped co-ordinate several inter-faculty sports events.

After graduation, Walter began his 33 year career as an educator with both the Halifax City and Halifax County School Systems. While recognized by most as a politician, Walter made an outstanding contribution in the field of education as a teacher and as an administrator. Long admired as the defender of the “little guy”, Walter’s record as a teacher and an administrator, of what is regarded as inner city schools, was enviable as he left his mark with students, parents, and fellow educators.

Walter entered politics when he was first elected alderman for the City of Halifax in 1966. In 1971 Walter put his education career on hold when he was elected Mayor of the City of Halifax. In 1974, Walter was elected MLA for Halifax Chebucto and was made a member of Cabinet serving as Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for the Housing Commission Act. Although he was a very popular Minister of Labour, Walter believed his greatest contribution was as Minister of Housing with the advent and expansion of Lower Sackville, Forest Hills housing, and massive Senior Citizen’s Housing projects throughout the province. He was re-elected MLA for Halifax Chebucto in 1978, representing this constituency until 1980.

Walter also resumed his education career in 1978, and in 1988, Walter returned to municipal politics to serve as Alderman in Ward 2, and then Deputy Mayor until 1994, at which time he retired from his career as an educator, and was once again elected Mayor of the City of Halifax in October, 1994. In 1995, Walter was elected as the first Mayor of the newly formed Halifax Regional Municipality - a position he held until November 2000.

Walter remained actively involved in many community activities and served as a volunteer with several charitable organizations. Walter “retired” to his summer home at Queensland Beach where he enjoyed gardening, “puttering” around the cottage and hosting his Annual Chowderbowl Challenge. Walter also looked forward to his winter sojourns in Aruba and Indian Shores, FL.

In 2010, the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia appointed Walter an Honorary Member of the Executive Council, granting him the privilege to use the honorific “The Honorable“ before his name, and the initials “E.C.N.S.” after his name. Walter distinguished himself in the fields of government, education, and of service to his community. His outstanding achievements provide a model of leadership that is an inspiration to those who follow.

Walter is survived by his wife, Linda; sons, Gregory, Missouri; Harry (Heather Marshall), Halifax; Stephen (Maria Medioli), Halifax; daughter, Heather (Robert Johnson), Ottawa; daughter-in-law, Karen (Chris Rowarth), Halifax; brother, Paul (Louise), Burlington, Ontario; brother-in-law, Jim Snow, Havre Boucher; sister-in-law, Karen Buchanan, Sydney; grandchildren, Veronika, Max, Savannah, Daisy, Franco, Mia, Sadie, Matthew, and David, as well as several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Walter was predeceased by his son, Hugh.

The family would like to thank the paramedics with Emergency Health Services and the ER nurses and physicians at the Halifax Infirmary, QE II. In honoring Walter’s wishes, cremation has taken place under the direction and guidance of J.A. Snow Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Thursday, October 16, 2014 in JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax (902-455-0531), from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. A celebration of Walter’s life will be held on Friday, October 17 at 4:30 pm in the World Trade & Convention Centre, 1800 Argyle St, Halifax, NS, followed by a reception.

Memorial donations may be made to: Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation (the Molly Appeal), The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, or any charity of your choice.