Andy Haydon, former Nepean mayor and regional chair, dead at 91

Andy Haydon, the Nepean politician who would go on to leave not only his mark but also his name on Ottawa City Hall, has died at 91.

According to a brief obituary published online, Andrew Scott Haydon died Monday, "leaving a void in the lives of so many people." The obituary did not disclose the cause of his death.

Born in Toronto in 1933, Haydon moved to Ottawa with his family at age six. He earned a degree in chemical engineering from Queen's University, then worked in Cornwall, Ont., before moving to what was then Nepean Township in 1961.

That's where Haydon entered politics, first elected in 1966 to the township council as an alderman, then three years later as reeve. When Nepean was incorporated as a city on Nov. 24, 1978, Haydon served as its first mayor for six days before becoming regional chair of Ottawa-Carleton, holding that job for 13 years until 1991.

A lot happened in Ottawa during Haydon's time at the helm of the regional council, including the opening of the Transitway and the expansion of the Robert O. Pickford Environmental Centre, one of Canada's largest water treatment plants.

Return to politics

After retiring and running a bed and breakfast with his wife, Haydon unexpectedly returned to politics in 2006 when he announced he was running to represent the suburban ward of Gloucester-South Nepean on Ottawa's new city council. He was not successful.

Larry O'Brien, who was elected mayor that year, brought Haydon back to Ottawa city hall as a special adviser. Haydon used his position to warn against converting the Transitway to light rail, calling instead for an expanded BRT (bus rapid transit) system to serve the city's growing transportation needs. 

In the run-up the next municipal election in 2010, Haydon publicly slammed O'Brien's fiscal record as "a tragic case of irresponsible and extravagant expenditures unmatched in the history of Ottawa." Then, on the final day of registration, he surprised everyone again by announcing he was running for mayor.

Haydon finished fourth with nearly 19,000 votes. O'Brien finished second with nearly 65,000 votes, losing to Jim Watson.

Haydon's 'impact was enormous'

In a brief tribute delivered in the city council chamber Wednesday, Ottawa's current Mayor Mark Sutcliffe remembered Haydon as someone who was "deeply passionate about our community" and whose "impact was enormous."

"He was a dedicated public servant and a visionary leader. Even after he retired, he remained very engaged on local issues. It's very appropriate that both a beautiful park and our city council chamber are named in his honour," Sutcliffe said, referring to the sprawling, riverside Andrew Haydon Park in the city's west end, and Andrew Haydon Hall at Ottawa City Hall.

Carleton University also offers a scholarship in Haydon's name to students in its engineering program.

Haydon had four children with his wife Mary Leishman, and after her death married Sherry Franklin, the widow of Ben Franklin, who took over as mayor of Nepean after Haydon's brief tenure. 

According to the online obituary, visitation will be held on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hulse, Playfair & McGarry at 315 McLeod St. A funeral service will take place the following day at 1:00 p.m. at the same location, with a reception to follow.