Fred Dovigi, a former Ward 4 councillor who ran for mayor in 2006, has died at age 71.
Family members said the educator, politician and entrepreneur died suddenly Monday at home.
Dovigi taught business at Bawating, Korah and Lakeway Collegiate while pursuing a number of personal enterprises, including time as president of Rico's Frozen Foods, supplier of lasagna to Air Canada and Italian sausages to the Canadian Forces.
In 2006, he ran for Sault Ste. Marie's mayoralty, placing third behind incumbent John Rowswell and Debbie Amaroso.
"I enjoy listening," Dovigi said during his 2006 mayoral campaign.
"For the past 32 years that's primarily what I've had to do as a teacher, is listen," he told SooToday's Pete Vere.
"Once you've listened and you understood what the issues truly are, then you can provide your input as part of the solution."
Dovigi was active in helping the local Children's Aid Society and was an avid Soo Greyhounds fan.
His son Patrick is a former Erie Otters goaltender and current president, chief executive officer and chair of GFL Environmental Inc., which has 10,000 employees across Canada and in 27 U.S. states.
Funeral service information will be released at a later date by Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre.