One final colourful character from Timmins’ past today, in our local history feature.
Leo Del Villano was one of the longest serving councillors and mayors. Local historian Karen Bachmann says depending on who you talk to, he was flamboyant, a rogue, a good politician, a man of the people, a true Northerner and friend.
“Leo was definitely a mayor who supported the creation of many of our arenas, parks and playgrounds, as well as the Golden Manor,” she adds. “He worked tirelessly for the construction and expansion of the Timmins Airport, and lobbied for the implementation of the Emergency Gold Mining Assistance Act to help secure Northern economies.”
Leo was mayor at the time of amalgamation in 1973 and 74. Local historian Karen Bachmann tells us he was proud to say he was the first mayor born in Timmins, the last mayor of the Town of Timmins, and the first mayor of the City of Timmins.
In 1959, he read that the hats worn by Queen Elizabeth’s Buckingham Palace guards were dirty and mangy, most of them well over 50 years old.
“Leo believed that Timmins could come to Her Majesty’s rescue and organized a proper bear hunt which was held in March of that year. Things did not start off well, however, as there was a strong protest from people who thought the hunt was inhumane. But Leo managed to pull it off.”
After sending 50 bear pelts to London, the Queen invited Leo and his wife Mildred to dine with her while she was on a visit to Canada that same year — which, of course, they did.
