Donald R. Russell
Encyclopedia
Donald R. Russell was a pharmacist and politician in the municipality (Town of) New Toronto
, Ontario
and served as the community's last mayor prior to its amalgamation into Etobicoke in 1967.
In 1933, Don Russell opened a drug store
on what is now Lake Shore Boulevard West at Sixth Street in New Toronto and, for a time, operated a second pharmacy in the village of Islington on Dundas Street. He was an active member of the Lion's Club, the Shriners and other organizations including the New Toronto Library Board. He became active in municipal politics and served as the a school trustee on the New Toronto Board of Education for eight years and was the first chairman of the Lakeshore Board of Education. He was first elected to town council
in 1954 and became mayor the next year. He served as mayor until 1967 when, due to the reorganization of Metropolitan Toronto
, several smaller municipalities including New Toronto were amalgamated into their larger neighbours with New Toronto
being merged along with Long Branch, Mimico and Etobicoke Township into the new borough
of Etobicoke and he topped the polls for election to Etobicoke's Board of Control in 1967. As Mayor and then Controller he also served on Metropolitan Toronto Council.
Donald R. Russell Memorial Park, formerly New Toronto Park, on Birmingham Street is named after him.
New Toronto
The historic Town of New Toronto is a neighbourhood in the south-west end of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located in the south-centre of the former Township of Etobicoke and was an independent municipality from 1913 to 1967, one of the former 'Lakeshore Municipalities'...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
and served as the community's last mayor prior to its amalgamation into Etobicoke in 1967.
In 1933, Don Russell opened a drug store
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
on what is now Lake Shore Boulevard West at Sixth Street in New Toronto and, for a time, operated a second pharmacy in the village of Islington on Dundas Street. He was an active member of the Lion's Club, the Shriners and other organizations including the New Toronto Library Board. He became active in municipal politics and served as the a school trustee on the New Toronto Board of Education for eight years and was the first chairman of the Lakeshore Board of Education. He was first elected to town council
Town council
A town council is a democratically elected form of government for small municipalities or civil parishes. A council may serve as both the representative and executive branch....
in 1954 and became mayor the next year. He served as mayor until 1967 when, due to the reorganization of Metropolitan Toronto
Metropolitan Toronto
The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto was a senior level of municipal government in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada area from 1954 to 1998. It was created out of York County and was a precursor to the later concept of a regional municipality, being formed of smaller municipalities but having more...
, several smaller municipalities including New Toronto were amalgamated into their larger neighbours with New Toronto
New Toronto
The historic Town of New Toronto is a neighbourhood in the south-west end of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located in the south-centre of the former Township of Etobicoke and was an independent municipality from 1913 to 1967, one of the former 'Lakeshore Municipalities'...
being merged along with Long Branch, Mimico and Etobicoke Township into the new borough
Borough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
of Etobicoke and he topped the polls for election to Etobicoke's Board of Control in 1967. As Mayor and then Controller he also served on Metropolitan Toronto Council.
Donald R. Russell Memorial Park, formerly New Toronto Park, on Birmingham Street is named after him.