Tributes Pour In for Bernie Morelli

Morelli represented Ward 3 since 1988 when he was elected to the Catholic School Board, since 1991 as City Councillor.

There have been many expressions of thanks to Morelli posted to Twitter and Facebook today, many people are sharing their photos of and with Morelli.

City Council gathered for their scheduled General Issues Committee meeting this morning. The Mayor called the meeting to order, spoke of Morelli’s service to the community, and recessed the meeting to give City Hall an opportunity to absorb the sad news.

Here’s a round-up of media coverage, and online posts/articles about Morelli from across the City:

• ****Veteran councillor Bernie Morelli dies after long illness(TheSpec): Dan Nolan writes of Morelli’s political career. Of note, the quotes from longest-serving City Councillor Tom Jackson.
• Bernie Morelli displayed grit and heart till the end(TheSpec): Andrew Dreschel tells of our Morelli’s struggle with illness during this term of Council and how Morelli never complained as his health took his physical strength from him.
• Council holds moment of silence for Morelli(CHCH): CHCH covered this morning’s Council moment of silence, and spoke with Tom Jackson live immediately after Council recessed.
• Mayors past & present give tributes to Morelli(CHCH): CHCH spoke with Mayor Bob Bratina and former Mayor Larry Di Ianni this morning. Both are lengthier tributes and well worth watching.
• Hamilton councillor Bernie Morelli dead at 70(CHCH): CHCH’s comprehensive coverage of Morelli’s death today includes tributes from citizens and the Chief of Police.
• BERNIE MORELLI AUGUST 6, 1943 – JANUARY 14, 2014(Mike Belmore’s Tumblr): Local labour leader Mike Belmore writes of Morelli “He was the son of a steelworker and although he was an ambitious man with multiple degrees, he never lost touch with the struggle of the working class and those further out on the margins.” A must-read