| Harold Fisher, B.A. LL.B (1877-1928) |    
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| Harold Fisher was born
in Bailiebo, Ont., on Nov. 1, 1877, son off John Henry and Myra (Clemesha)
Fisher. Harold was educated in the public schools in Toronto; namely the Jarvis St. Collegiate Institute; and then Toronto University (B.A. 1899; LL.B., 1902); Osgoode Hall. Harold was called to the Ontario Bar in 1902, and formed partnership with Hon. Charles Murphy in 1903; later, firm name changed to Murphy, Fisher & Sherwood Barristers and Solicitors. Harold Fisher was the joint author with Mr. Smart, of a Canadian legal manual entitled "Canadian Law and Patent Practice." At 36 years old, Harold Fisher became a city Alderman for Wellington Ward, Ottawa, 1913-1914. He then held the position of Controller for the city of Ottawa from 1915-1916. In 1917 he was elected Mayor, a position he held for two years. During the 1918 Ottawa influenza epidemic, Harold worked on organizing relief work and it was at this time that he realized that Ottawa needed more hospital accommodation. It was after the epidemic that he turned all his energy to developing the Civic Hospital, and many credit him for it's development - and it was largely for his work in driving the hospital that both Fisher Avenue and Fisher Park were named after him. Fisher was once quoted as saying "When you have a job to do always do it the best you know how. That helps you in two ways. It helps you to do better work, and, before long, people will know that you can be relied on." After this time Harold was elected to provincial politics as a Liberal MPP for Ottawa in the legislature in Toronto as the opposition financial critic. Fisher was a member of the Laurentian Club on Metcalfe St.; the Royal Ottawa Golf Club and Rivermead Golf Club; Ottawa Tennis and Bowling; the Rideau and Glebe Curling clubs. He lived at 48 Third Avenue in Ottawa. Harold Fisher died on Wednesday, December 19, 1928 in Ottawa after a short illness. |