Ford, Trudeau and Crombie honour ‘Hurricane Hazel’ McCallion at state funeral: ‘Rest easy, my friend’

But to the thousands in attendance at her state funeral Tuesday, from members of the public to dozens of political dignitaries, Mississauga’s longest-serving mayor Hazel McCallion was simply a dear friend. Days after she passed, Ford announced a state funeral would be held to honour McCallion. A woman of small stature, McCallion was affectionately known as “Hurricane Hazel,” for her “feisty” and headstrong political style. Crombie said that in the last time they spoke, McCallion encouraged her to keep pushing for Mississauga’s independence from the region. Ford, who had formed a deep friendship with McCallion spoke about her impact on him,“I count myself incredibly lucky to call Hazel a friend over these past many years.