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John Angus, who spent decades serving as a city councillor in south Winnipeg’s former St. Norbert ward, is being remembered as a municipal “legend” and “political titan” after he died earlier this week.
His wife, Janice Charko, said Angus died on Tuesday at 83 years old.
She said her husband was an “honest” and energetic politician, who had a great sense of humour and a drive to get things done — particularly on Winnipeg’s city council.
“He had experience in all three levels of politics, but the city level was the one that he most enjoyed because he could see things actually happen,” Charko said.
Angus was first elected as the former St. Norbert ward’s city councillor in 1977, serving on council for more than a decade before he made the jump to provincial politics to become the area’s Liberal MLA in the late 1980s.
But Charko said he didn’t really enjoy working in the Legislature because he felt there was too much of a focus on sparring with opposing parties.
“He didn’t feel like he was really accomplishing anything or getting anything done for his constituents that way,” she said.
So Angus returned to Winnipeg’s council in 1992 and remained there until he left City Hall in 2005.
John Angus retired from City Hall, shown here in the summer, in 2005. (Jaison Empson/CBC)
Justin Swandel was at Angus’ side during the last five years of his tenure on council, serving as his executive assistant and later his replacement as the ward’s councillor.
Swandel said Angus possessed a “great deal of political courage” and understood the ins and outs of complicated policy issues.
“John, to me, is a bit of a legend. There’s not many guys around anymore that were able to do what John did,” he said, adding that Angus made a recognizable difference that can be seen in the form of buildings and bridges, but also in policy work that helped shape day-to-day operations at City Hall.
Swandel said Angus helped drive the creation of Waverley West under then-mayor Glen Murray, working to develop lands in the city’s south end and build new homes.
“That’s what caused the ward to change. So many houses came online there so fast that they had to redo the boundaries. That was a great time of growth for Winnipeg,” he said.
“That was a place where you could really see John’s leadership shine.”
John Angus’ former executive assistant and city council successor Jason Swandel says Angus, pictured, was a ‘legend’ who made a significant difference in Winnipeg. (Submitted by Janice Charko)
Waverley West Coun. Janice Lukes says community members in her ward — which is home to John Angus Drive — remember the longtime municipal fixture as a “strong councillor” who would always speak his mind.
“He was a very large political titan in his day,” she said.
She said he was a driving force that helped forge the ward’s South Pointe and Prairie Pointe neighbourhoods, working closely with developers to grow the city.
“He did a lot of work out here,” Lukes said.
After he left City Hall, Charko said her husband worked for former Winnipeg South MP Reg Alcock before retiring to their place in Lac du Bonnet. But he didn’t slow down in retirement, instead he opened up a real estate business.
“John loved real estate and I used to tease him about it being similar to politics in that he got to put a sign with his name on it on people’s lawns, which is the same as during a campaign,” she said.
Janice Charko says her husband John Angus, pictured, was known for his ‘larger than life’ personality and sense of humour. (Submitted by Janice Charko)
Charko said Angus was a “very romantic man,” who first caught her eye while they were stuck waiting for a flight at Montreal’s airport about 40 years ago. They were struck by how much they had in common and quickly began a “long-distance romance” while she was still living in Toronto and he was in Winnipeg.
“When we got together, it just clicked.”
She said Angus was a Trekkie who didn’t allow anyone to call their home between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weeknights when Star Trek was on. He was also a dedicated Winnipeg Blue Bombers fan.
Over the past few days, Charko said Angus’ loved ones have been sharing stories about his life, remembering him as a “larger than life” personality with a great sense of humour.
The family has been pulling together pictures, music and stories for a celebration of life service next week in Beausejour, which was chosen because it’s about halfway between Winnipeg and Lac du Bonnet.
“We’ve decided that being the presence that he was, that John Angus should not leave this world without having something as a tribute to him,” she said.
The service will be held at the Sobering Funeral Chapel in Beausejour at 11 a.m. on Oct. 23.