Peter Pollen, former mayor of Victoria, has died at the age of 89.
His wife, MaryAnn, tells us he died peacefully at home at 12:45 Tuesday surrounded by loved ones. She says his health had been in decline for the past 6-months but his mind remained active until they end.
Pollen grew up in Saskatchwan and Ontario but moved to Victoria to work at a Ford dealership that he soon took over.
He served a total of four terms as mayor of Victoria, first between 1971 and 1975 and then again from 1981 to 1985. He also dabbled in provincial politics, running unsuccessfully for the Social Credit party in the 1960's and he was the leader of the BC Conservative Party for a brief time in the 1980's.
In previous interviews, Pollen expressed pride in a number of accomplishments as mayor. Some examples of his legacy include getting the Inner Harbour's Lower Causeway built and helping protect the character of Victoria's old town by stopping high rise development and maintaining low building heights.
He’s survived by his wife, three daughters and a son, 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.