DURHAM—Regional Chairman Roger Anderson has died after a long illness.

The Region of Durham made the announcement Saturday morning.

“A decisive leader who always put the needs of our residents and community members first, Anderson spent countless hours championing the Region’s issues to the federal and provincial governments,” a statement from the region says. “In all of his years of public service, he never gave up. He was a strong advocate who served his community faithfully.”

Anderson announced in November 2016 that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer; he underwent surgery in March 2017.

On March 21, regional council approved a leave of absence for the chairman, who hadn’t attended any regional council or committee of the whole meetings since before Christmas.

Flags at all regional facilities will be at half-mast in his memory.

“He will be remembered by many as a true leader, a fierce competitor and the foremost champion of Durham Region,” said Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan, in a message posted on Facebook. “I will remember him as a mentor and dear friend who had a huge heart.”

Anderson was Durham’s longest serving regional chairman, starting in the role in 1997. He was also the first person to be directly elected to the role in 2014.

He started his political career in 1985, when he was elected as a councillor in Ajax. He served as regional councillor and deputy mayor for the Town of Ajax from 1991 to 1997.

Anderson was chairman of the Durham Region Transit Commission since its inception in 2006 and served several terms as chair of the Durham Regional Police Services board.

He was active in the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for 25 years, including a two-year term as president.

Under his leadership, municipalities gained access to federal gas tax funding for infrastructure and transit. This gas tax funding was made permanent in 2008 and brings approximately $17 million dollars per year to Durham Region.

“It was my distinct honour to serve chair Anderson over the past 24 years,” says Garry Cubitt, Durham Region’s chief administrative officer. “He was fiercely proud of the region, its staff, residents, businesses and institutions. He was an unwavering advocate for Durham Region everywhere he travelled and with everyone he met. He was Durham’s most vocal and energetic supporter.”

Anderson’s other roles included serving on the GO Transit board and the founding board of Metrolinx.

Many of Anderson's achievements were recognized when he was named a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal.

As regional chairman, Anderson had a near perfect attendance record — he didn’t miss a single regional council meeting prior to his illness.

He contributed to the amalgamation of ambulance services to create Durham Emergency Medical Services — now Region of Durham Paramedic Services — as well as the formation of Durham Region Transit.

Anderson also worked with regional council and staff to advance projects such as the rebuilding of the region’s four long-term care homes and construction of new paramedic response stations, community police offices and affordable housing units.

Anderson’s annual charity raised more than $6 million over the past 20 years and benefitted the Abilities Centre, students in financial need at Durham College and the UOIT and child and youth initiatives at the Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health.

“Known for his sometimes stern demeanour in running regional council meetings, Anderson made a conscious effort to show his ‘kinder, gentler’ side over the past few years,” the statement from the region notes. “He appreciated the spirit of Christmas, a good round of golf, and any music with a tune that could be whistled. Behind the occasional impatient response was a man who had only the best interests of Durham Region at heart.”

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

A book of condolences will be available at Regional Municipality of Durham Headquarters, located at 605 Rossland Rd. E. in Whitby.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Ajax-Pickering Hospital Foundation, or a local charity of your choice.

Visitation arrangements will be available at durham.ca in the coming days.