Saul Laskin was born in Fort William and completed his education in both Fort William and Toronto. In 1937, he returned to the region and worked at a clothing store and at his father's furniture business. After serving overseas during the war, Laskin took over his father's business and founded his own store, Laskin's Furniture and Appliances, which he ran from 1946 into the late 1980s.
In 1959, Laskin was elected Councillor for the City of Port Arthur, marking the start of his political career. He sat on Council for two years and was then elected Port Arthur Mayor from 1962 to 1969. When Port Arthur and Fort William amalgamated in January of 1970, Laskin was elected the first Mayor of the newly formed City of Thunder Bay. Laskin had been a long-time supporter of amalgamation and was thrilled to head the new City of Thunder Bay.
Laskin was very involved with the community and belonged to many organizations and institutions including the Royal Canadian Legion, the Chamber of Commerce, Congregation Darchei Noam, and Lakehead University which bestowed him with an honorary doctorate and the title Fellow of Lakehead University.
In the late 1980s, Laskin and his wife Adele moved from Thunder Bay to Toronto. He resided in Toronto until his death in 2008.
Born: May 15, 1918 in Fort William, Ontario
Died: Oct. 4, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario at the age of 90
Councillor: Port Arthur Councillor 1959-1960
Mayor: Port Arthur Mayor 1962-1969, Thunder Bay Mayor 1970-1972
Previous Mayor: Port Arthur Mayor Norman Robert Wilson
Next Mayor: Thunder Bay Mayor Walter Assef
Back to Port Arthur City Councils 1960 - 1969
Back to Thunder Bay City Councils 1970 - 1978
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