Toronto Councillor Ron Moeser dead at 74

Flags at city hall were at half-mast to mourn the death of veteran Coun. Ron Moeser.The longtime Scarborough councillor died of complications from lymphoma at the age of 74, his office said.

Moeser announced his illness last March. During the last city council meeting, councillors were told their Ward 44 colleague was fighting for his life.

Mayor John Tory issued a news release  saying Moeser’s death will be met with great sadness at city hall. During some 20 years on council, Moeser served as chair of the Scarborough Community Council and was instrumental in the creation of Rouge Park, Tory’s statement said. “Ron was a voice of reason and a calming presence on city council. He was fiercely dedicated to his constituents and as a resident of the Scarborough community for over 30 years, was keenly attuned to their voices,” the mayor said.