Ralph Day
Encyclopedia
Ralph C. Day was Mayor of Toronto, Ontario from 1938 to 1940. He was also an accomplished funeral director
, owning his own funeral home
. He also served as chairman of the Toronto Transit Commission
in the 1960s and 1970s.
In 1916, at the age of 17, Day joined the Canadian army to fight in World War I
. He would fight and survive action at the Battle of Vimy Ridge
.
Day entered municipal politics and served as a Controller in the 1930s, and as of 1934 was an Alderman, before being elected mayor in 1938 and served until 1940.
Italian-Canadian men were interned by the federal government shortly after Italy declared war on Canada during World War II
; Day announced on June 11, 1940 that their families, despite now lacking a breadwinner, would be denied welfare stating "This country is at war with Italy and Italians cannot very well expect us to spend money for war purposes for the purpose of maintaining alien enemies."
In 1963 Day became chairman of the Toronto Transit Commission a position he would hold until 1972.
The Ralph Day Funeral Home still operates but has since merged with another Day family acquisition "Heritage Funeral Centre, "Ralph Day Chapel" in Toronto on Overlea Boulevard.
's daughter.
Funeral director
A funeral director , also known as a mortician or undertaker, is a professional involved in the business of funeral rites. These tasks often entail the embalming and burial or cremation of the dead, as well as the planning and arrangement of the actual funeral ceremony...
, owning his own funeral home
Funeral home
A funeral home, funeral parlor or mortuary, is a business that provides burial and funeral services for the deceased and their families. These services may include aprepared wake and funeral, and the provision of a chapel for the funeral....
. He also served as chairman of the Toronto Transit Commission
Toronto Transit Commission
-Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:...
in the 1960s and 1970s.
In 1916, at the age of 17, Day joined the Canadian army to fight in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He would fight and survive action at the Battle of Vimy Ridge
Battle of Vimy Ridge
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the Canadian Corps, of four divisions, against three divisions of the German Sixth Army...
.
Day entered municipal politics and served as a Controller in the 1930s, and as of 1934 was an Alderman, before being elected mayor in 1938 and served until 1940.
Italian-Canadian men were interned by the federal government shortly after Italy declared war on Canada during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
; Day announced on June 11, 1940 that their families, despite now lacking a breadwinner, would be denied welfare stating "This country is at war with Italy and Italians cannot very well expect us to spend money for war purposes for the purpose of maintaining alien enemies."
In 1963 Day became chairman of the Toronto Transit Commission a position he would hold until 1972.
The Ralph Day Funeral Home still operates but has since merged with another Day family acquisition "Heritage Funeral Centre, "Ralph Day Chapel" in Toronto on Overlea Boulevard.
Personal life
With his wife Vera he had two daughters and one son. His son would marry former mayor Allan A. LamportAllan A. Lamport
Allan Austin Lamport, CM was Mayor of Toronto, Canada, from 1952 to 1954. Known as "Lampy", his most notable achievement was his opposition to Toronto's Blue laws which banned virtually any activities on Sundays. Lamport fought to allow professional sporting activities on Sundays...
's daughter.