David Pecaut
David Kent Pecaut, CM[1] (September 14, 1955 – December 14, 2009) was a US-born Canadian civic leader, city builder and a strategist. He was known for his visionary initiatives, and solutions-based approach to social issues. He was able to convene different stakeholders, and implement holistic solutions. He was instrumental in forming the Toronto City Summit Alliance. He tackled a "wide range of issues like greening the city, diversity, immigrant employment and affordable housing."[2]
Pecaut was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa and attended West High School before going to Harvard University (BA Sociology 1977) and University of Sussex (MA Philosophy 1978).[3] He return to Sioux City to work for Terra Chemicals before moving to Toronto in the 1980s.[3]
Pecaut was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in November 2009.[1] He died on December 14, 2009 at his Toronto residence of colorectal cancer.[4] He was 54 years old and survived by wife Helen Burstyn and their daughters.[5]
Pecaut Square, originally Metro Square, is a public space located between Metro Hall and Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. It was renamed after David Pecaut by a unanimous Toronto City Council vote in April 2011.[6][7]
See also
References
- ^ a b "David Kent Pecaut, C.M., M.A., B.A." Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 2009-12-30.
- ^ David Pecaut: Torontopia's suit[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?pid=137352259
- ^ Martin, Sandra (2009-12-14). "Toronto visionary David Pecaut succumbs to cancer". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2009-12-30.
- ^ Knelman, Martin (2009-12-15). "David Pecaut, 54: 'Greatest mayor Toronto never had'". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- ^ Moloney, Paul (12 April 2011). "Metro Square renamed Pecaut Square to honour late city builder". Toronto Star. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
- ^ Knelman, Martin (7 April 2011). "City renames Metro Square to honour David Pecaut". Toronto Star. Retrieved 7 April 2011.