Former Mayor Larry Di Ianni and Mr. Ecklund's daughter Erika

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LARRY'S CORNER- Hamilton's Former Mayor Speaks

former Mayor of Hamilton, Larry Di IanniHamilton Mourns Chester Waxman

By Larry Di Ianni
(posted December 15, 2008)

When I first met Chester Waxman I knew nothing about his philanthropic or business dealings. I just knew him as a Hamilton booster. It was in the context of the citizen’s panel, organized by Terry Cooke to study a possible amalgamation between Hamilton and its suburban counterparts, that I first saw Chester up close. I was on Stoney Creek’s Council then; and we went into the first ‘get-to-know-you’ meeting with the handpicked citizen’s panel with great scepticism. As a suburban Councillor we had much to be sceptical about. Chairman Cook wanted to swallow us up whole: bones, skin, suit, overalls, wallet and all. I wasn’t looking at things other than through the prism of protectionist eyes then and was like everybody else, hopping mad. As a result, I went into the meeting with a predisposition to dislike anyone chosen to take away my community from us, including Mr. Waxman.

But Chester’s warmth stopped us in our tracks. Who was this cigar chomping man with the remnants of an afro haircut, stylish suits and an ever-present smile? He was Mr. Hamilton, that’s who! He had charm, wit and common sense. He loved the city and saw its potential for greatness. He was hard to argue against let alone dislike.

When I was elected to the city’s amalgamated Council and then as Mayor I got to know Chester Waxman and his wonderful wife Bailey very well. They were at every philanthropic event that I was ceremoniously invited to. I always accused Chester of being everywhere because he wanted to run for mayor. He would laugh and tell me that of all the jobs he ever had in his life, and he had some tough ones, being mayor was a job he didn’t want, although, he’d say with a twinkle in his eye, if he wanted it, he could do a ‘damn good job of it’. And I laughed and never doubted that at all.

Chester achieved much in his life. And he gave back to the community even more. The last period of time was I am sure tough on him. Yet, his legal issues never seemed to get him down. He always walked tall and stood proud. I recall him being at fundraisers and always the showman sometimes leading charity auctions by example. Not only was he the auctioneer, he was also a very generous bidder. “We need to get the bids up,” he’d say. His smile and enthusiasm were infectious. The only time he became serious was when he only once or twice, privately commiserate with me about the nasty nature of journalism in this city. It is true that in spite of the lauding tones of our local paper now, not an opportunity was missed by it to dissect publicly every aspect of a legal but ultimately a family tragedy at play. I am sure this hurt Chester’s pride. But it didn’t dominate his spirit.

I recall getting a phone call from Chester several years ago shortly after I lost the mayoralty. He was up-beat and said some wonderful things about my tenure in that position. I thanked him for his kind words. But I had also heard that he was having some ‘health issues’ and he was only too willing to talk about them. But, not to bemoan his unfortunate situation as many of us would do; rather, he wanted me to know how lucky he was to have found just the right kind of doctor and treatment in New York for what was ailing him. “I’m one lucky guy,” he told me. Talk about seeing the glass half full!

And this indomitable spirit, I believe, is Chester’s enduring legacy. Hamilton has much to be thankful for. There are public buildings standing that owe much to Chester’s contributions and his fund-raising skills. There are hospitals and Arts venues which will continue to benefit from his largesse and philanthropy. We will always be grateful. But his enduring legacy will be his sense of optimism and his sense that Hamiltonians ‘Can do’. Many years before another person from humble beginnings convinced his nation that “Yes, we can!” Chester Waxman proved to his community that there is no challenge large enough that it can’t be successfully met. For this we thank you, Mr. Hamilton. Rest in peace!

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