Posted with permission from the Hamilton Spectator
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To some, he was a steelmaker, an alderman and gridiron star. But to others, Reg Wheeler was simply “Mr. Hamilton.”
Wheeler died after a prolonged illness Sunday morning. He was 93.
“He had a pretty darn decent life,” said Wheeler’s son Len. “We’ll miss him, alright, but we could see the signs coming.”
Born in Hamilton in 1918, Wheeler was well-known at Dofasco, where he worked 46 years, and as a defensive tackle for the pre-Tiger-Cats Flying Wildcat Football Club.
“He never told anyone how good a football player he was, and he was really, really good,” said his son.
He was also a “decent, passionate guy for Hamilton – easygoing, easy to get along with,” said Mayor Bob Bratina, whose father was a longtime friend and co-worker of the local football giant.
Later, Bratina would get to know him closely while hosting the Canadian Football League’s annual Hall of Fame induction dinner. And Reg, who was a member induction committee and crucial to the hall’s establishment, couldn’t resist getting in his share of political jabs.
“The only thing we disagreed on was the Red Hill Creek Express,” Bratina recalled. “I remember him giving me heck all the time for it.”
It was in the wake of his football career that Wheeler caught the political bug. He ran unsuccessfully for Wentworth County Member of Parliament in the 1950s, but in 1960 was elected east-end alderman – a post he held for a cumulative 28 years.
“He was a veteran councillor when I arrived as a kid,” said former regional chairman Terry Cooke. “I got to know him well and just have a ton of respect and admiration for him. He was maybe the best mayor we never had.”
Wheeler was always renowned as “fiercely independent” and “unable to be lobbied,” added Cooke, now CEO of the Hamilton Community Foundation.
“He was always seen as very much the elder statesman and in some ways the moral leader of council throughout most of time I served.”
As a Beach Strip resident, Wheeler was also a voice for those on the harbourfront. And as chair of the city’s engineering committee, he pushed for the construction of the Burlington Street overpass, new bridges and other important projects, such as restoration of Dundurn Castle.
Into his 80s, Wheeler remained active in community affairs, sitting on advisory committees for St. Joseph’s Health Care, Third Sector Recycling, Hamilton East Kiwanis Club and the Probus Club. In 2001, he was inducted into Hamilton’s Gallery of Distinction and in 2006, was one of 12 finalists for Greatest Hamiltonian.
Wheeler leaved behind his son Len, daughter Renee, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his wife Grace, in 2007, and his son Bob.
With files from the Hamilton Public Library
tpecoskie@thespec.com
Attached are the only two pictures I have of Reg, thanks to the Hamilton Spectator
905-526-3368 | @TeriatTheSpec
_________________________________________
To some, he was a steelmaker, an alderman and gridiron star. But to others, Reg Wheeler was simply “Mr. Hamilton.”
Wheeler died after a prolonged illness Sunday morning. He was 93.
“He had a pretty darn decent life,” said Wheeler’s son Len. “We’ll miss him, alright, but we could see the signs coming.”
Born in Hamilton in 1918, Wheeler was well-known at Dofasco, where he worked 46 years, and as a defensive tackle for the pre-Tiger-Cats Flying Wildcat Football Club.
“He never told anyone how good a football player he was, and he was really, really good,” said his son.
He was also a “decent, passionate guy for Hamilton – easygoing, easy to get along with,” said Mayor Bob Bratina, whose father was a longtime friend and co-worker of the local football giant.
Later, Bratina would get to know him closely while hosting the Canadian Football League’s annual Hall of Fame induction dinner. And Reg, who was a member induction committee and crucial to the hall’s establishment, couldn’t resist getting in his share of political jabs.
“The only thing we disagreed on was the Red Hill Creek Express,” Bratina recalled. “I remember him giving me heck all the time for it.”
It was in the wake of his football career that Wheeler caught the political bug. He ran unsuccessfully for Wentworth County Member of Parliament in the 1950s, but in 1960 was elected east-end alderman – a post he held for a cumulative 28 years.
“He was a veteran councillor when I arrived as a kid,” said former regional chairman Terry Cooke. “I got to know him well and just have a ton of respect and admiration for him. He was maybe the best mayor we never had.”
Wheeler was always renowned as “fiercely independent” and “unable to be lobbied,” added Cooke, now CEO of the Hamilton Community Foundation.
“He was always seen as very much the elder statesman and in some ways the moral leader of council throughout most of time I served.”
As a Beach Strip resident, Wheeler was also a voice for those on the harbourfront. And as chair of the city’s engineering committee, he pushed for the construction of the Burlington Street overpass, new bridges and other important projects, such as restoration of Dundurn Castle.
Into his 80s, Wheeler remained active in community affairs, sitting on advisory committees for St. Joseph’s Health Care, Third Sector Recycling, Hamilton East Kiwanis Club and the Probus Club. In 2001, he was inducted into Hamilton’s Gallery of Distinction and in 2006, was one of 12 finalists for Greatest Hamiltonian.
Wheeler leaved behind his son Len, daughter Renee, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his wife Grace, in 2007, and his son Bob.
With files from the Hamilton Public Library
tpecoskie@thespec.com
Attached are the only two pictures I have of Reg, thanks to the Hamilton Spectator
905-526-3368 | @TeriatTheSpec
