Sarnia's mayor Hazel McCallion's greatest legacy was being herself.
A state funeral will be held for the former Mississauga mayor on Tuesday.
Mike Bradley said it's a meaningful day.
"I think it's great that the funeral is on February 14th, Valentine's Day," said Bradley. "That was Hazel's birthday. She would have been 102 on Valentine's Day. Getting to know her over the years, she was the sort of politician that was beloved because she was herself. She didn't pretend she was something else."
McCallion, known by many as “Hurricane Hazel,” died on Sunday, January 29.
"She was one of a kind and is greatly going to be missed by all of us. She was still going to meetings and she also was still joining organizations to help them move forward. So, it's a real testament to if you want to live long, then stay out there, stay active, do all the things you need to do to keep yourself sharp mentally and physically."
Mayor Bradley said he always admired how she could "call it as she saw it."
"Her political skills and her insights were phenomenal. A year before Justin Trudeau was elected, she predicted he'd be the prime minister, when I don't even think Trudeau had a clue that he might become prime minister."
Bradley said McCallion had a great relationship with Sarnia.
"A lot of people don't know, her first job was in Sarnia during the Second World War when there was a shortage of labour and they were using women, revolutionaries at the time. She worked on the Polysar plant that was built, which was an engineering marvel around the world."
McCallion was mayor for 36 years, serving 12 consecutive terms after she was first elected in 1978.
Mayor Bradley, who was elected to his 11th term last October, said they shared the longevity in the role.
"I did have that relationship with Hazel, in the sense that I'm about a year and a half away from passing her record. No one ever sets out believing they're going to get re-elected, and re-elected, but part of the motto I have, was like Hazel's, just be yourself. Marceil Saddy before me was the same way. Don't try to pretend you're something else. Whether that's always welcome by the public, it doesn't matter, because it makes you feel like you're doing the right thing."
The funeral will take place at Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga at 11 a.m.
There will be a livestream for those unable to attend.
Premier Doug Ford, Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, and Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie are scheduled to attend.
Flags will be flown at half-mast across the province, including at Sarnia City Hall.
With files from Colin Gowdy
