This page was exported from Caledon Citizen [ https://caledoncitizen.com ] Export date:Wed Sep 2 8:32:48 2026 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: Emil Kolb remembered for a lifetime of public service --------------------------------------------------- By Riley Murphy Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Caledon is mourning the loss of former Mayor Emil V. Kolb, who passed away on June 18, 2025, at 89. Emil Kolb served Caledon and Peel Region with distinction for 50 years. Those who worked with and knew him took the time to remember his leadership and character. Kolb was a proud farmer and community leader, said the Town of Caledon, announcing his passing. He sat on the final Peel County Council and first Peel Region Council, later serving as Caledon's Mayor from 1985 to 1991 and Peel Regional Chair from 1991 to 2014.  “Caledon has lost a great statesman with the passing of Emil V. Kolb on June 18, 2025. Emil was driven by his unwavering values, inspired by family and community and he led Caledon and Peel Region with an eye to the future,” Mayor Annette Groves told The Citizen. Flags at all Town facilities have been lowered to half-mast in honour of Emil Kolb's life and dedicated service to the Town of Caledon and the Region of Peel. He served as the longest-serving Chair of both the Region of Peel and Peel Police Services Board. The Peel Police Service Board said his steady leadership and deep commitment to public service left a lasting mark on policing in Peel. “He played a key role in strengthening police governance and building relationships between the Service and the community,” said Peel Police Service Board. “We extend our condolences to his family and loved ones during this time.” He led Peel Region in becoming debt-free, building financial reserves, establishing funding for protecting environmentally sensitive lands, and ensuring long-term sustainability for a rapidly growing Region. He worked with residents and local historians on the Caledon Trailway, Building the Dream Book Project, and celebrating the history of the trailway through the community. His annual Emil Kolb Hootenanny raised over $2 million to support children's charities in Peel Region. At his retirement, long-time Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion said, “If you want something done, give it to a farmer.” Kolb accomplished a long list of achievements during his time as former Mayor of Caledon, and his remarkable contributes continued through decades of dedicated public service. “Most of us have people in our lives we look up to, and Emil Kolb was a mentor for me,” said former Caledon mayor Allan Thompson. Thompson shared it was easy for him to look up to Kolb as they were both Peel County dairy farmers with shared backgrounds. He said Kolb's mayoral campaign was where he first got into municipal politics as a young volunteer. Their paths continued to cross over the years, where they served together as political colleagues. Thompson said that on the political stage Kolb was a distinguished diplomat whose every decision was guided by practicality, vision and a genuine sense of caring for his community.  He was also remembered as being a master at being able to broker a compromise when tensions around the table escalated. “This is increasingly rare in today's day and age and I valued the time I got to serve with him as a political colleague,” said Thompson. He noted Kolb achieved an “enviable” triple-A credit rating during his term as Regional Chair. “He also had a good sense of humour and loved to tease,” said Thompson. “And he was always willing to give me advice, even if I didn't ask for it. The advice was always practical and rooted in his expansive political experience, and for that I was always appreciative.” He said that while this is a time to reflect on his commitment to our community, this is also a time to give thanks to Kolb's wife Beryle and his family. “My own family knows full well the sacrifices they are ultimately asked to make when a family loved one becomes involved in public service, and so, to them, we have to say thank you, both for sharing him with us, and for the extra lifting they would have no doubt had to shoulder back home on the family farm in his absence,” said Thompson. “To them, our community owes a debt of gratitude.” “To Emil, well done faithful servant. You will be missed. Rest in peace my friend.” --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2025-06-26 11:18:35 Post date GMT: 2025-06-26 15:18:35 Post modified date: 2025-07-03 10:54:32 Post modified date GMT: 2025-07-03 14:54:32 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com