WATERLOO, Ont. – Former Waterloo MPP and mayor Herb Epp has died. He was 78.
He will be deeply missed both within Kitchener-Waterloo – the community that he served – and across Ontario, Premier Kathleen Wynne said Tuesday.
“He was a proud and passionate voice for the people of Kitchener-Waterloo and his service as an elected representative did much to improve his community and his province,” she said in a statement.
“As a teacher and guidance counsellor, a member of the Ontario legislature and a three-term mayor of Waterloo, he dedicated himself to the betterment of people’s lives.”
New Democrat Catherine Fife, who holds the riding of Kitchener-Waterloo, said Epp was a dedicated public servant to the community and the province.
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“I had the chance to speak with Herb after the byelection in Kitchener-Waterloo and he generously offered assistance and advice, and I thanked him for his dedication to public service,” she said in the legislature.
“It was clear from our conversation how much he loved our community and how proud he was of Waterloo.”
Epp first entered municipal politics as an alderman in 1968, then went on to win three terms as mayor, the latest from 2003 to 2006.
The Liberal stalwart also represented the former provincial riding of Waterloo North from 1977 to 1990 before retiring from the Ontario legislature.
Outside of politics, Epp built careers as a teacher, guidance counsellor and real estate broker.
He was born in Winnipeg but grew up in Ontario.
Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran says a funeral is planned for Friday.
“He dedicated his life to his community, to helping others, he was kind and highly respected man. I want to express our sincere condolences to his family,” she said.
(CKGL, The Canadian Press)
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version mistakenly said Epp grew up in Waterloo.
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