Former Mount Pearl mayor and Member of the House of Assembly Harvey Hodder has passed away at age 77.
Hodder was born in Creston on Newfoundland and Labrador’s Burin peninsula.
He studied at Memorial University before becoming a principal at Mount Pearl Junior High School.
Hodder first joined Mount Pearl city council in 1969 and became deputy mayor in 1973. In 1978, he would become mayor of Mount Pearl, a position he held for four consecutive elections.
In 1988, Hodder joined Memorial University’s Board of Regents, chairing the campus planning committee for four years.
In 1993, after leaving the office of mayor of Mount Pearl, Hodder was elected as a Progressive Conservative to the House of Assembly for the first time. He won another four elections. During that time he served as speaker of the House of Assembly, from 2003-07.
“He was my principal in junior high. That was back in the mid-'80s. I can remember I was going through the transition from boy to a teenager, and Harvey called me into his office. I remember him looking down over his desk — at that time he was a good bit taller than me — and he said: 'Now, young Lester, you're going to become a man' and, he said, 'You better get on the right side of the track.' So I took that advice."
Waterford Valley MHA Tom Osborne, who first sat with Hodder in 1996, broke the news to the legislature of Hodder’s passing Thursday evening.
“I had the pleasure of serving 11 years with Harvey. I knew him prior to that when he was mayor of the City of Mount Pearl,” said Osborne.
“I'm sure I speak on behalf of all members in wishing condolences to the Hodder family, to Pearl and all of Harvey's family. He served his district well, the District of Waterford Valley, which incidentally is the name of the district that I serve. He did serve his district well.”
In a statement, former Premier Danny Williams said Hodder’s sense of humour will not be forgotten.
“Harvey was the kind of politician that everyone around him aspired to be; serving the province with commitment and compassion. And though he was typically the calm voice of reason, he also loved to make you laugh with one of his signature stories,” reads the statement.
“Harvey was a true gentleman, whose legacy will live on and I am honoured to have called him a friend. I wish all of his loved ones my heartfelt condolences during this time. Rest in peace Mr. Speaker.”
Mount Pearl North MHA Jim Lester said Hodder was a mentor for him in his younger years. He said Hodder wasn’t shy with giving advice and guiding those in his community.
“He was my principal in junior high. That was back in the mid-'80s. I can remember I was going through the transition from boy to a teenager, and Harvey called me into his office,” said Lester.
“I remember him looking down over his desk — at that time he was a good bit taller than me — and he said: 'Now, young Lester, you're going to become a man' and, he said, 'You better get on the right side of the track.' So I took that advice."
“Harvey was a true gentleman, whose legacy will live on and I am honoured to have called him a friend. I wish all of his loved ones my heartfelt condolences during this time. Rest in peace Mr. Speaker.”
Speaker Scott Reid said Hodder’s work as speaker continues to guide the office today.
I think it's fair to say he was respected on all sides of the House as a member, particularly as a speaker,” said Reid.
“Members, people who knew him, talked about his fairness and I think that was his distinguishing characteristic as speaker, the things that made him a great speaker was the fact that he listened to all sides and he was fair.”
PC Leader Ches Crosbie sent condolences to the Hodder family.
“Mr. Hodder was a statesman in the truest sense of the word and dedicated his life to public service. The province of Newfoundland and Labrador is a better place because of him,” Crosbie said.
Hodder leaves to mourn his wife Pearl, daughter Marilyn and two grandchildren, Matthew and Rebecca.
Funeral arrangements for Hodder have yet to be announced.
