24 Facts About Fergy Brown

James Fergus Brown was a politician in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Fergy Brown served as Mayor of York from 1988 to 1994.

Fergy Brown was born in Scotland, and moved to the neighbourhood of Mount Dennis in York, Toronto at age five.

Fergy Brown served in Canada's Bomber Command during World War II, took pharmacy studies at the University of Toronto, and owned a pharmacy before entering politics.

Fergy Brown was first elected to the York Borough Council in 1969, defeating three challengers in the city's fourth ward, and was re-elected in 1972.

Fergy Brown campaigned for Mayor of York in 1974 and 1976, but lost to Philip White both times.

Fergy Brown ran for a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1977 as a candidate of the Progressive Conservative Party, finishing second against New Democratic Party incumbent Tony Grande in Oakwood.

Fergy Brown was re-elected in 1980,1982 and 1985, and served as York's budget chief for this entire period.

Fergy Brown sought to replace Paul Godfrey as chair of Metro Council in 1984, but finished second against Dennis Flynn of Etobicoke.

Fergy Brown campaigned for a position on the police board later in the year, but lost to Art Eggleton.

Fergy Brown was named head of Metro's social service committee in 1985 and served as a member of the Toronto Transit Commission.

Fergy Brown was elected to succeed Alan Tonks as mayor of York in 1988, defeating former MPP Tony Grande by a significant margin.

Fergy Brown highlighted his record of financial accountability and suggested that Grande did not have significant municipal experience to govern the city.

Fergy Brown continued to serve on Metro Council, where he supported Tonks's successful challenge against Dennis Flynn for council chair.

In 1990, Fergy Brown endorsed a controversial plan to sell part of Fairbank Park to a company run by Toronto-area developer Lou Charles.

In July 1991, Fergy Brown reversed his earlier position and helped council defeat the proposed sale.

Fergy Brown was re-elected to the mayor's office in 1991 over his old rival Philip White.

Fergy Brown helped ensure passage of a compromise Market Value Assessment tax plan for Metro Toronto in 1992, although this plan was later overturned by the provincial government of Bob Rae.

Fergy Brown was defeated in 1994 by Frances Nunziata, who had spearheaded opposition to the Fairbank sale in 1990.

The campaign centred on leadership issue: Fergy Brown pointed to his tenure in office, while Nunziata argued that he did not show decisive leadership during the controversy.

The contest was marked by open animosity between the candidates, and Fergy Brown refused to travel to Nunziata's headquarters on election night to concede defeat.

Fergy Brown served on the Board of Directors of The Learning Enrichment Foundation for 30 years, including as president.

Fergy Brown died in Sunnybrook Hospital at the age of 89.

Fergy Brown was buried at Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto.