17 Facts About Sam McBride

Samuel McBride was a two-time Mayor of Toronto serving his first term from 1928 to 1929 and his second term in 1936 until his premature death.

Sam McBride was a member of the Orange Order in Canada.

Sam McBride was born in Toronto to an Irish Protestant family and was a committed Orangeman.

Sam McBride became an alderman in 1905 and served on Toronto City Council for 30 years.

Sam McBride lived at 351 Palmerston Boulevard and on the Toronto Island.

Sam McBride ran unsuccessfully for mayor three times before being elected in the 1928 election, defeating incumbent Thomas Foster.

Sam McBride was then defeated by Bert Wemp in the 1930 election.

Sam McBride returned to the mayor's office in the 1936 election defeating incumbent James Simpson and former alderman Harry W Hunt.

Sam McBride was considered a candidate of the workers and was supported by the left-leaning Toronto Daily Star and opposed by the more conservative Toronto Telegram during his time in politics.

Sam McBride served for many years on the city's police commission.

Sam McBride was a harness racing enthusiast and was a founding member and charter director of the Canadian Standardbred Horse Society in 1909 and served as the society's president in 1919 and 1920.

Sam McBride was a founding director of the Canadian National Trotting and Pacing Harness Horse Association.

Sam McBride had a cottage on the Toronto Island and represented the Island as its Alderman.

Nathan Phillips recalled that as an alderman, Sam McBride had a terrible temper.

Sam McBride once got into a fist fight with a fellow alderman and once threw a can of beans at alderman Joe Beamish, missing Beamish, but leaving a dent in the panelling of the council chamber.

Sam McBride died on 14 Nov 1936, the first Toronto mayor to die in office.

Sam McBride's body was placed at the base of the staircase at City Hall for visitations.