A brief statement from the Ford family announcing the death Tuesday described the former mayor as a “dedicated man of the people” who “spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto.”

I'm reading this as "...described the former mayor as a 'moron' who 'spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto narcotics and incompetence in equal measure.'"

I do wish his loved ones well. It's not easy to deal with the damage of addiction, including the aftermath.

For a while, it was like a Farley SNL skit had come to life and somehow elected mayor in a major North American city (Toronto). Sadly, nothing lasts.

"He was fun while he lasted." For fucks sake. Have some dignity, Dan.

Yes, we must have dignity when discussing a person who had none.

My condolences to the nation of Canada, and to its comedians.

Can't believe that's a picture of a 46 year old. Cautionary tale for excessive drinking an drug use.

it was never fun, it was always sad.

what's the term asshole conservatives used to use to euphemize AIDS? lifestyle cancer. it probably applies here.

Well, the guy was Canada's answer to Donald Trump - but also with a mammoth substance problem along with a heroic sense of public service. I was relieved when he left the mayor's office, but what the hell, it was just Toronto.

I was sad to hear the news today. He leaves a young family.

Rob Ford was a terrible mayor but he was an exceptionally good city counsellor before that. When people in his district had problems, he helped them. He worked long days and earned his place in the city government. Then he became a truly awful mayor.

He was 46? Jeez, That makes me feel pretty good about my weathered 51.

@Christopher: Must have been before he decided he wanted to be a crimeboss, I guess.

@5: Seriously, what sanctimonious twaddle, if someone can't speak ill of a dead person who regularly beat their spouse, evil gets a free pass.