Former Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow dies at 75

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 23, 2022

Dave Barrow, who was mayor of Richmond Hill for 15 years until 2021, has died at the age of 75.

The city confirmed the sudden passing of the former mayor in the morning of Sept. 22. The cause of death is currently not available.

Barrow was last seen in public Sept. 15. He and his wife attended a ceremony at Dave Barrow Square, which was being dedicated to him for his long service to the city.

Born and raised in Richmond Hill, Barrow attended McConaghy Public School, Richmond Hill High School and Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now Toronto Metropolitan University) prior to entering the family business and Richmond Hill municipal politics.

Barrow served the Richmond Hill community for more than 35 years since 1978, when he began his political career with his first term as Ward 4 councillor.

He remained a councillor until 1985, when he returned to the family business after his father Elgin's death. He re-entered political life in 1997 by winning a regional council seat.

Barrow was first elected mayor on Nov. 13, 2006 and was re-elected in 2010, 2014 and 2018.

During his last term on council, the former mayor announced his retirement in September 2021, shortly after coming back from a six-month-long medical leave following his doctor’s advice.

"It's very sad and shocking," Mayor David West said of Barrow's death. "I've known Dave for 20 years. I've certainly had a front-row seat to how he brought the community together, how he knew everybody in the community, how he worked so hard to add positive energy and positive change to the community that he so loved and called home for so many years."

Books of condolence will be available for the community to sign from Sept. 23 until Oct. 3. They will be at the main municipal offices, 225 East Beaver Creek Rd., during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and at Richmond Hill Public Library’s Central Branch, 1 Atkinson St., during regular business hours.