One of northern Ontario`s proudest and most prominent voices has gone silent.

John Rodriguez, who served 18 years as the MP for Nickel Belt and four years as mayor of Greater Sudbury, has died at the age of 80.

He leaves behind his wife Bertilla and five sons Damien, Brendan, Derek, Declan and Emyln, as well as numerous grandchildren.

Rodriguez was born in Guyana, immigrated to Canada in the 1950s and came to Coniston to work as a teacher in 1962.

He served on town council, before being elected the NDP MP for Nickel Belt in 1972.

Rodriguez became one of the loudest voices on the far left of the NDP, calling for the nationalization of Inco, Bell Canada and other companies.

His voice was also commonly heard in the House of Commons, including during a record six hour speech on tax reform in 1977.

John Rodriguez was known as a dynamic speaker during his political. As an MP in 1977 he set a record with a six-hour speech on tax reform in the House of Commons. (Facebook )

Rodriguez was defeated in 1980 by Liberal Judy Erola, but was returned to the House of Commons in 1984, before suffering another loss in 1993 to Liberal Ray Bonin.

After that Rodriguez, returned to teaching, working as principal at St. David`s School in Sudbury's Donovan neighbourhood before he was forced into retirement in his mid 60s.

He returned to politics in 2006, winning a crowded race to be mayor of Greater Sudbury.

In 2008, he pushed to build a multi-use recreation complex and a performing arts centre dubbed "the legacy projects" but they were defeated in a tight 7-6 vote.

His time in office was also marred by the Elton John ticket scandal, where city councillors were able to secure dozens of tickets to the March 2008 concert ahead of the public.

Rodriguez was ousted in the 2010 election by political rookie Marianne Matichuk and tried to regain the city`s top job again in the 2014 election, before finally deciding to retire from politics.

"I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. I now pass the torch to a new generation, but I will continue to observe events and comment on them from the safety of a Tim Hortons," Rodriguez said in 2015.

"One of my sons summarized it by saying that when I die and they put me in the ground, they're not going to put a headstone, they're going to put a lawn sign and I think that epitomizes how they've always seen me. In their lives, I only hoped that that was a model for them too. To be generous in their relationships with people around them."

Mayor Bigger sends 'heartfelt sympathies'

The City of Greater Sudbury has lowered the flags at Tom Davies Square to half mast in honour of Rodriguez.

In a statement, mayor Brian Bigger says Rodriguez's legacy will live on. Many Sudbury residents were inspired by him to get involved in the community and make a positive impact.

"On behalf of city council and the people of Greater Sudbury, I would like to extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones of John at this time," said Bigger, who ran against Rodriguez in the 2014 election.

Books of condolences will be available for the public to sign at citizen service centres across the city.