In everyday life he was one of those unsung heroes, and in death that’s how many of us will remember the remarkable Walter Shanahan.
Flags on fire halls across the City of Toronto were lowered to half-mast on Aug. 22, marking the passing of its former "chief" at age 71.
Endearing himself to Torontonians as the kind of fire chief that insisted on going out on the trucks to do his job, Shanahan, was the quintessential firefighter symbolized by the many who lost their lives helping others at the New York Trade Centre. Not only admired, he was loved by his own troops. Indeed, this city hall department head, who always took his job to heart, had to be forced to go on extended sick leave after inhaling a large amount of smoke during a July 1993 fire at Kensington Market.
Retired in 1995 after seven years as chief, Shanahan had served the fire department for almost 43 years.
In 1972, he was promoted to captain. He moved up to district chief in 1976, then assistant deputy chief in 1979 and deputy chief in 1982. Imagine, he joining the local fire department, which became his life, at age 21.
Born in Toronto in 1931, Shanahan was only a teenager when he went to work for Canadian General Electric, where he remained for two years before being sent to Korea to join the war effort with the 2nd Royal Canadian Artillery.
Hailing from an era where politically correct wasn’t part of life, "the chief" weathered the many storms provided by one of the most politically correct bodies in existence, Toronto City Council.
And he did it with panache.
Councillors, including former Coun. Peter Tabuns, who now heads up Greenpeace Canada and present-day Coun. Kyle Rae took issue when Shanahan happened to cite his war record, in defense of his job in the local council chamber.
Shamefully, some of the civic politicians, trying to force him into retirement, ganged up on him. Unflinching, Shanahan was a model of dignity. There was nothing shameful about being proud to serve his country overseas as far as Walter Shanahan was concerned.
The fateful night of the council meeting where the chief’s future would be determined drew a larger than usual crowd. Word had leaked out that the faithful public servant was in trouble. The message of the night was "Save the Fire Chief, Fire the Mayor." At the height of the intense meeting, it was a moving moment when uniformed fire fighters in the back row, stood up in unison, proffering small signs reading, "Save the Fire Chief, Fire the Mayor."
Even then Toronto Sun columnist Christie Blatchford, who was at City Hall to cover the meeting, wrote in Shanahan’s defense.
After the meeting Toronto Free Press staffers, who had helped get the word out to his colleagues, asked the chief to join them for a drink. After first ensuring we were not councillors, he joined us at the Holiday Inn, now the Colony Hotel, where he captivated us with war stories.
Tabuns and Rae could never put a dint in the great character known as Chief Shanahan.
His Irish humour and perspective on politicians being politicians kept him in good stead.
It must have truly irked some of his politically correct foes that he managed to hang in as chief for the next two years, even though most of his duties were assumed by Deputy Chief Peter Ferguson.
It wasn’t until August of 1995 that Shanahan elected to retire, sending a letter to then-mayor Barbara Hall, tersely informing her: "Although I had hoped for a complete recovery, as yet it has not occurred."
Shanahan, a loving husband, father and grandfather leaves behind long-time wife Elizabeth, proud children David, Loraine, Kevin and Mary and no less than 10 grandchildren.
His passing rather than ending an era, reminds us all the more of the sacrifice of Canadian men and women who served so bravely in Korea.
Canada Free Press founding editor Most recent by Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com
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