A ‘friend to many people’: Former Toronto councillor and TTC chair Howard Moscoe dead at 86

Left: Olivia Chow (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov). Right: Howard Moscoe (CP PHOTO/Frank Gunn)

Former Toronto city councillor and TTC chair Howard Moscoe has died at the age of 86, Mayor Olivia Chow announced Saturday.

The circumstances surrounding the passing are unclear but in a post to social media, Chow said she was sad to share news of the death of her former council colleague, describing Moscoe as a “friend to many people in the Toronto area and beyond.”

“Howard’s contribution to a better Toronto has been enormous,” Chow said. “The memory of Howard Moscoe is a blessing to us all. Rest in Peace, dear colleague and friend.”

Moscoe, who was born on Nov. 28, 1939, served in municipal politics for 31 years. Chow described his career as “long and illustrious” beginning as a North York alderman in 1978 before later serving as a Metro councillor and Toronto city councillor.

Before entering politics, Chow says Moscoe worked as a high school art teacher in North York, where he later became president of the North York Teachers’ Federation and a governor with the Ontario Teachers’ Federation.

“Howard was an early and strong supporter of the move to upload the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway to the province,” Chow wrote.

“An example of his tenacity was the purchase of the new subway vehicles built in Thunder Bay now serving Line 1.”

Chow also says that Moscoe was an advocate for affordable housing, particularly rent geared to income housing in North York.

Notably, Moscoe became the first chair of the TTC, following municipal amalgamation in 1997. He pushed for transit expansion, ridership growth and accessibility improvements for Wheel-Trans users.

“He had a lifelong commitment to struggle for a fair, just and equitable Toronto,” Chow added.

She described Moscoe as a “tenacious fighter for social justice” adding that he advocated for tenants, people experiencing homelessness, transit riders and people living with disabilities throughout his career.

‘A true champion for the little guy’

Meanwhile, Humber River-Black Creek Coun. Anthony Perruzza shared his reaction in statement online offering his thoughts and prayers to the family.

“Today I learned of the passing of my friend and mentor, Howard Moscoe, a dedicated City Councillor and a true champion for the little guy,” he said.

“He believed deeply in fairness, compassion, and standing up for those whose voices were too often overlooked... My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, daughters, family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. I will miss him dearly.”

‘Larger-than-life,’ Bradford says

Also sharing his thoughts online is Beaches-East York Coun. Brad Bradford who says Moscoe was a “larger-than-life personality with many strong views.”

“I had the pleasure of meeting him during my time as a TTC commissioner, and his warmth and gregariousness left a lasting impression,” he wrote. “Howard was deeply involved in Toronto’s Jewish community, and his absence will be felt across the city.