Funeral for Bernie Morelli to be held Monday

City flags flew at half staff and the council chambers fell silent Wednesday morning as Hamilton city hall grappled with the death of Coun. Bernie Morelli.

The city had originally scheduled a general issues committee meeting for 9:30 a.m. Instead, it ended up being a short moment of silence to remember the long-time Ward 3 councillor, who diedon Tuesday at age 70 after a long battle with cancer. The rest of the meeting was postponed until Jan. 22.

City flags will fly at half staff this week, as will Hamilton Police Service flags. Mayor Bob Bratina suggested any Hamiltonians flying flags at home do the same.

Tears flowed from councillors and staff at city hall on Wednesday. City politics are an extended family, said Coun. Brenda Johnson of Ward 11.

You have the crazy uncles and you have the grandpas, and you have the fun-loving sisters and the cousins who put their heads down and motor through, she said. He was the grandpa. Youd come to him for advice and hed give it to you straight.

Morellis death, she said, brings an awful feeling. Your grandpa died. Thats what it feels like.

Morelli, who worked for Dofasco for 25 years, was first elected to council in 1991. Before that, he first served as a trustee for Ward 3 for the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board.

He also served as a council appointee on the police services board from 1994 to 1997 and was chair in 1996. He joined the board again in 2000, serving as chair from 2000 and 2009. He became chair again in October and was still in that role when he died.

Morellis failing health was no surprise around city hall. He missed several meetings in the last few months as he battled illness.

He took two months off last summer and returned in August. While he stayed mum about the nature of his illness, Im looking good. Im feeling good, he told CBC Hamilton.

My doctors, when they read this, would say What is he doing? But its in my blood.

Morellis final council meeting was on Dec. 11, when the visibly weakened councillor appeared long enough to move a motion to build a new $8-million sports facility in the Pan Am precinct. It was deemed a legacy project for Morelli, who received a long standing ovation.

'Huge hole' left at city hall

Coun. Tom Jackson is the only council member to servelonger than Morelli. The late Ward 3 councillors legacy includes the sports facility, the future development of waterfront lands at Piers 7 and 8, and his quest to make his predominantly low-income ward a safe place for families, Jackson said.

A lot of the good restoration that is happening now, he was a part of and led and saw to fruition that are works in progress now, his spirit will see to conclusion.

A huge, huge hole is going to be left here at city hall, and God rest his soul.

Jackson said he will advocate for Morelli to be remembered in a prominent and high-profile way.

Andrea Horwath, Hamilton Centre MPP and leader of Ontario's NDP party, issued a statement Wednesday touting Morelli's legacy.

"I served on Hamilton city council with Bernie for just over two terms and, although we didnt always agree, he was always a passionate advocate for his Ward 3 constituents," she said.

"Bernie was a true friend and advocate for Hamilton. We will all miss him greatly."

The police services board will discuss the issue of a future chair at a meeting on Tuesday, said vice-chair Coun. Lloyd Ferguson.

'Too early' to talk about Morelli's successor

Ferguson said news of Morellis death too fresh to even think about if hell run for the chair position.

Its too early to talk about that, he said.

Out of respect for those mourning Morelli, council will not deal with the issue of the vacated seat until February, said spokesperson Mike Kirkopoulos.

Staff are reviewing the legislated options respecting a vacated council seat and will be presenting options at a future general issues committee, he said in an email.

Morelli is survived by three children. One of them, police officer Mark Morelli, made national headlines in December when a video of him calmly arresting a hysterical woman went viral.

The city has set up a book of condolences on the first floor of city hall. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Nicholas Morelli Memorial Fund (a Non-Registered Fund ) c/o 45 Ivy Lea Place, Hamilton, Ontario L8T 3R5 or SPCA. Online condolences may be made at www.dermodys.com