Walter Fitzgerald

Walter Ronald Fitzgerald (May 8, 1936 – October 11, 2014) was a Canadian politician who served as the first Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality from 1996 to 2004.

Early life and education Fitzgerald was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the son of Phylis (Rondeau) and Walter Fizgerald. He graduated from Dalhousie University. Prior to his political career, Fitzgerald was a teacher and a former principal at Rockingstone Heights School in the Spryfield area.

Political career He was first elected alderman for Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1966. He served as mayor of Halifax from 1971 to 1974, then as MLA for Halifax Chebucto from 1974 to 1981. He was the last mayor of the old city of Halifax from 1994 to 1996, and was the first mayor of the amalgamated Halifax Regional Municipality from 1996 to 2000. In the election of 2000, he was defeated by former Bedford mayor Peter J. Kelly.

Death He died on October 11, 2014, in the early morning hours, of heart problems at a hospital in Halifax.