Longtime Oakville town councillor and federal Liberal candidate Max Khan passed away on Saturday night after checking himself into hospital.
According to fellow Oakville councillor Tom Adams, Khan had been suffering from flu-like symptoms in recent days and went to Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital at some point Saturday evening. Khan then passed away a few hours later with his family at his side.
The cause of death is not known, though Khan was a three-time cancer survivor.
“He was a wonderful man. I have worked with him for going on nine years, I have gone through three municipal elections with him and because we represented the same part of Oakville I perhaps more than others got to work very closely with him on a regular basis,” Adams told CP24 on Sunday morning. “He was a tireless advocate for his constituency, was available all the time for all sorts of things and was just a great person to work with. We were very fortunate to have him on council.”
A trial lawyer with a Bay Street firm, Khan was first elected to represent Ward 6 in 2006 and was re-elected for a third-term in October with 85.5 per cent of the vote.
Khan was the Liberal candidate for the newly-created riding of Oakville-North Burlington for the upcoming federal election as well and in a message posted to Twitter on Sunday Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said he is "shocked and saddened" by Khan's passing.
"My heart is with his loved ones - he will be sorely missed," Trudeau wrote.
'His heart was bigger than his smile'
In addition to his contributions in the political sphere, Khan was active in the community, working as the legal advisor for the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton and serving on the board of directors for the Oakville chapter of the United Way.
Discussing Khan's legacy with CP24 Sunday morning, Ward 1 Regional Councillor Sean O'Meara said it extends beyond his various roles and positions.
“His heart was bigger than his smile and everyone who knows him knows how big that was. He was always able to pull the best out of people and encourage them to aspire to great things,” O'Meara told said. “He led by example and our community won’t be the same without him.”
Fellow councillor Jeff Knoll also told CP24 that Khan was someone that everyone respected, regardless of their political affiliation.
"No matter what side of the issue you were on you always appreciated Max's point of view, his passion and his tenacity," he said.
In a message posted to Twitter Sunday morning, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said that Khan was a “tireless tiger defending Oakville's residents” and a “people's champion.”
A funeral will be held for Khan Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the Isna Mosque at 2200 South Sheridan Way.
Oakville Councillor Max Khan was a tireless tiger defending Oakville's residents. We've lost a people's champion. pic.twitter.com/baGLma6QZF
— Rob Burton (@OakvilleMayor) March 29, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Max Khan. The #Lpc family has lost a great fighter today.
— Ana F (@anaf_87) March 29, 2015
Very sorry to hear of the passing of #Oakville Councillor Max Khan. Met him at several events - very nice and caring man. #RIP
— Brad Butt (@BradButtMP) March 29, 2015
My condolences & prayers are with the family of my friend & colleague Max Khan who passed away early this morning. pic.twitter.com/nfft0bDY7G
— Jeff Knoll (@CouncillorKnoll) March 29, 2015
My thoughts are with the family and friends of Max Khan, such a loss for the Oakville community.
— saison marguerite (@franzimpala) March 29, 2015
It is difficult to consider that Max Khan is gone, mainly because he was always so 'alive' every where he was.... http://t.co/OopWlfVArs
— Marc Reyer Grant (@MarcReyerGrant) March 29, 2015
My condolences to Max khan"s family and all those who were blessed to have known him personally.We have lost a wonderful human being.
— Qasir Dar (@QasirDar) March 29, 2015
Max Khan will be missed for his passion for his community and country. Also for the great smile and his awesome sense of fashion!
— Clark Somerville (@clarksomerville) March 29, 2015
So shocked and sad to hear of the passing of my law school class mate and LPC candidate Max Khan - just terrible terrible news.
— Michael Spratt (@mspratt) March 29, 2015
Shocked and very saddened at the sudden passing of #Oakville's @MaxKhanLib. My heart is with his loved ones - he will be sorely missed.
— Justin Trudeau, MP (@JustinTrudeau) March 29, 2015
Our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of @townofoakville ward 6 councillor Max Khan! RIP ^mb
— HRPS Oakville (@HRPSOak) March 29, 2015
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