James Fredrick Gosnell (c. 1918–1986) commonly called "Fred" was a

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well ...

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

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, Canada from January 1, 1972 to March 6, 1972. His son Tom Gosnell was the mayor of London from 1986 to 1994 and was later the deputy mayor and budget chief from 2003 to 2010. Art Cartier recalled Gosnell as taking a businesslike approach to politics. "He was not the smooth, glad-handing type and he related things as if he were running his own business." Former alderman Andy Grant said that although he and Gosnell had differing political philosophies and differences of opinion "we did not hold it against each other. He was a fine guy, very likable and very fair."Peter Geigen-Miller, "London Mourns loss of ex-mayor Gosnell," London Free Press, March 3, 1986.

Beginning years

Gosnell was born in the Kent County community of

Highgate Highgate ( ) is a suburban area of north London at the northeastern corner of Hampstead Heath, north-northwest of Charing Cross. Highgate is one of the most expensive London suburbs in which to live. It has two active conservation organisat ...

and moved to London in his late teens. He joined the London police force as a constable in 1938, then saw action in

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and

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while serving with the

Royal Canadian Air Force The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; french: Aviation royale canadienne, ARC) is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environm ...

during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

. He was a former member of the "Elephant Transport Squadron" No. 436 Squadron RCAF of the

. After the war, Gosnell started and sold a driving school, a golf range and an

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products distributorship.

Alderman

Gosnell entered municipal politics in 1966 as a council candidate in Ward 6. He told voters that he had no intention of offering a "batch of ridiculous promises. For me to do so would be nothing more than an insult to your intelligence and my integrity." His no nonsense appeal worked as he was elected that year as alderman in his first try.

Board of Control

Gosnell made the jump to board of control in 1968, taking advantage of a vacancy created by the resignation of long-time controller Norman Bradford. Four people sought the vacant controller's post and Gosnell emerged as winner in a city council vote criticized by press reports of the day because it was held in secret.

Mayoralty

After three years on the board of control, he was ready to run for mayor and beat out incumbent Herb McClure by 2,263 votes. Gosnell campaigned on the theme "let's get London going again." He campaigned on a pledge to bring new leadership to city hall but had little chance to put his goals into action. His mayoral term was only 3 months and 6 days having to resign after a serious heart attack in early February. His doctors had advised him to slow down and he did, deciding against a return to politics despite rumors in the fall of 1973 that he might run for board of control.

Family

Gosnell was married to the former Evelyn Head, and had three sons, James Frederick, Thomas Charles, and William Douglas, and one daughter, Pamela Jane.

References

External links

City of London Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gosnell, James Frederick Mayors of London, Ontario 1986 deaths Year of birth uncertain