Walter Assef
Encyclopedia
Walter Assef was a Canadian
politician, and former Vaudevillian, who served as mayor of the city of Thunder Bay
, Ontario
. He was the first, and so far the only mayor, to have been elected for two discontinuous terms. He was first elected in 1973 and served until 1978. His second term began when he was re-elected in 1981 and lasted until 1985.
Walter Melund Assef was born May 31, 1913 at Sioux Lookout, Ontario
to John Hunna Khaleefy Asseff, a native of Hasroun
, Lebanon
, and Maria Rosa Bintado (variant spelling, Mary Penteado), a native of Brazil. He died January 14, 1988.
He is famously known locally to have patted the behind of Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Thunder Bay in 1973, although some sources believe it was merely a trick photo taken from an angle that appears to show something that was not real. However, he did officially introduce the Royal Couple to the city as "his Royal Highness and his lovely wife".
Liberace
dined at the home of Walter Assef before performing at the Fort William Gardens
on 30 September 1961.
As mayor, his nickname was "Jolly Wally". Reportedly, Prince Phillip coined the term, referring to him as "that jolly little mayor from Thunder Bay". His predecessor as mayor Saul Laskin
did not see him that way - he found him disruptive and uncooperative. By his second term in office, many observers deplored his behavior in council as abusive.
One of the issues he campaigned strongly against was the building of a stand-alone arts complex in the city. When the Community Auditorium
(as it's now known) was built, Walter Assef vowed to never attend the grand opening or ever step inside. A populist
, Assef once campaigned with a cow.
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...
politician, and former Vaudevillian, who served as mayor of the city of Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
, 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....
. He was the first, and so far the only mayor, to have been elected for two discontinuous terms. He was first elected in 1973 and served until 1978. His second term began when he was re-elected in 1981 and lasted until 1985.
Walter Melund Assef was born May 31, 1913 at Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Sioux Lookout is a town in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It has a population of 5,336 and an elevation of 1280 ft / 390 m. Known locally as the "Hub of the North", it is serviced by the Sioux Lookout Airport, Highway 72, and the Sioux Lookout railway station...
to John Hunna Khaleefy Asseff, a native of Hasroun
Hasroun
Hasroun is a village located in the Bsharri District in the North Governorate of Lebanon. It is situated in the Valley of Qadisha, overlooking the southern branch of this valley, the Qannoubine Valley....
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, and Maria Rosa Bintado (variant spelling, Mary Penteado), a native of Brazil. He died January 14, 1988.
He is famously known locally to have patted the behind of Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Thunder Bay in 1973, although some sources believe it was merely a trick photo taken from an angle that appears to show something that was not real. However, he did officially introduce the Royal Couple to the city as "his Royal Highness and his lovely wife".
Liberace
Liberace
Wladziu Valentino Liberace , best known simply as Liberace, was a famous American pianist and vocalist.In a career that spanned four decades of concerts, recordings, motion pictures, television and endorsements, Liberace became world-renowned...
dined at the home of Walter Assef before performing at the Fort William Gardens
Fort William Gardens
The Fort William Gardens is a 4,690-capacity multi-purpose arena, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. It opened in 1951.Previous tenants include the Thunder Bay Flyers, of the 'Junior A' United States Hockey League, the Thunder Bay Senators/Thunder Bay Thunder Cats, of the Colonial Hockey League and...
on 30 September 1961.
As mayor, his nickname was "Jolly Wally". Reportedly, Prince Phillip coined the term, referring to him as "that jolly little mayor from Thunder Bay". His predecessor as mayor Saul Laskin
Saul Laskin
Saul Laskin was a Canadian politician. He was the first mayor of the City of Thunder Bay, Ontario.Born in Fort William, Ontario, he was the younger brother of jurist Bora Laskin. He was educated in Fort William and Toronto, and served overseas in World War II...
did not see him that way - he found him disruptive and uncooperative. By his second term in office, many observers deplored his behavior in council as abusive.
One of the issues he campaigned strongly against was the building of a stand-alone arts complex in the city. When the Community Auditorium
Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium is a 1,511 seat performance arts centre, located in Thunder Bay, Ontario. It opened on October 16, 1985 and is home to the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra...
(as it's now known) was built, Walter Assef vowed to never attend the grand opening or ever step inside. A populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
, Assef once campaigned with a cow.