James Fredrick Gosnell
Encyclopedia
James Fredrick Gosnell commonly called "Fred" was a mayor
of London
, Ontario
, Canada
from January 1, 1971 to March 6, 1972. His son Tom Gosnell
was the mayor of London from 1986 to 1994 and is the present deputy mayor and budget chief.
Art Cartier recalled Gosnell as taking a businesslike approach to politics. "He was not the smooth, glad-handing type and he related things as if he were running his own business." Former alderman Andy Grant said that although he and Gosnell had differing political philosophies and differences of opinion "we did not hold it against each other. He was a fine guy, very likable and very fair.".
community of Highgate and moved to London in his late teens. He joined the London police force as a constable in 1938, then saw action in India
and Burma while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force
during the Second World War. He was a former member of the "Elephant Transport Squadron" No. 436 Squadron RCAF
of the Royal Canadian Air Force
.
After the war, Gosnell started and sold a driving school, a golf range and an Amway
products distributorship.
Four people sought the vacant controller's post and Gosnell emerged as winner in a city council vote criticized by press reports of the day because it was held in secret.
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of London
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
from January 1, 1971 to March 6, 1972. His son Tom Gosnell
Tom Gosnell
Thomas Charles Gosnell , commonly called "Tom", was a mayor of London, Ontario, Canada from January 1, 1986 to March 6, 1994. He is the son of James Fredrick Gosnell, known as "Fred", who was the mayor of London, Ontario, Canada briefly in 1972...
was the mayor of London from 1986 to 1994 and is the present deputy mayor and budget chief.
Art Cartier recalled Gosnell as taking a businesslike approach to politics. "He was not the smooth, glad-handing type and he related things as if he were running his own business." Former alderman Andy Grant said that although he and Gosnell had differing political philosophies and differences of opinion "we did not hold it against each other. He was a fine guy, very likable and very fair.".
Beginning Years
Gosnell was born in the Kent CountyKent County, Ontario
Kent County, area 2,458 sq km is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario. Population in 2006 was 108,589.The county was created in 1792 and named by John Graves Simcoe in honour of the English County. The county is in an alluvial plain between Lake St...
community of Highgate and moved to London in his late teens. He joined the London police force as a constable in 1938, then saw action in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Burma while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
during the Second World War. He was a former member of the "Elephant Transport Squadron" No. 436 Squadron RCAF
No. 436 Squadron RCAF
436 Transport Squadron is a unit of the Canadian Forces under the Royal Canadian Air Force. It currently operates the CC-130J Super Hercules from CFB Trenton in Trenton, Ontario.-History:...
of the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
.
After the war, Gosnell started and sold a driving school, a golf range and an Amway
Amway
Amway is a direct selling company and manufacturer that uses network marketing to sell a variety of products, primarily in the health, beauty, and home care markets. Amway was founded in 1959 by Jay Van Andel and Richard DeVos...
products distributorship.
Alderman
Gosnell entered municipal politics in 1966 as a council candidate in Ward 6. He told voters that he had no intention of offering a "batch of ridiculous promises. For me to do so would be nothing more than an insult to your intelligence and my integrity." His no nonsense appeal worked as he was elected that year as alderman in his first try.Board of Control
Gosnell made the jump to board of control in 1968, taking advantage of a vacancy created by the resignation of long-time controller Norman Bradford.Four people sought the vacant controller's post and Gosnell emerged as winner in a city council vote criticized by press reports of the day because it was held in secret.