Al Palladini, the flamboyant car salesman who rose to become a popular Progressive Conservative politician, died of a heart attack yesterday, leaving fellow Tories and friends shocked and sorrowful.
"I've lost one of my very best friends," Premier Mike Harris said, fighting back tears after he broke the news to a meeting of the Tory caucus in Gravenhurst yesterday afternoon.
The meeting ended immediately and MPPs and cabinet ministers, some of them also weeping, walked slowly and silently from the room where they had been planning for the upcoming session of the legislature.
The 57-year-old Mr. Palladini was in Acapulco on a golfing holiday when he died.
Born in Latina, Italy, the man who would become wealthy selling Fords in Woodbridge, Ont., came to Canada when he was 10 years old. His dealership's slogan -- imprinted for decades on the minds of Torontonians -- was "Any Palladini is a pal of mine."
According to Ontario Liberal Party president Greg Sorbara, who held the Vaughan riding for 10 years before Mr. Palladini was elected, the man's down-to-earth demeanour and energy allowed him to woo people of all political stripes when he entered provincial politics in 1995.
"People ignored the party label because they knew him and liked him and he had an outstanding record of community service," Mr. Sorbara said yesterday.
After his election, Mr. Palladini was named minister of transportation. He later served as minister of economic development.
Politically, Mr. Palladini was a major player in building the finances of Ontario's Tories. He was an important fundraiser, especially in the Italian business community, and had a major political network in the ridings north of Toronto.
But his frankness and volubility distinguished him from other politicians.
"I think he tended to be more open and forthright when he was speaking than other politicians and that sometimes got him into trouble," said Jim Miller, senior vice-president of corporate affairs for Honda Canada.
Earlier this year, the MPP for Vaughan-King-Aurora resigned from Cabinet, citing personal reasons.
In 1995, his personal life was suddenly splashed onto the front pages when he appeared in court over a paternity suit. Court documents alleged he fathered a girl, now 11, with his mistress.
"He didn't think it was fair. . . . he resented all the attention," said Vaughan's acting mayor Michael Di Biase, who considered Mr. Palladini his best friend.
Then Mr. Palladini became involved in an acrimonious divorce from his wife Romana, whom he married in 1966 and with whom he had two children, Franco and Lucia.
Of his decision to resign from cabinet, Mr. Palladini said, "It's really a combination of the type of pressures that, certainly, the breakup of a relationship brings upon one."
As well, his status as a cabinet minister had prevented him from being involved in the operations of his automobile dealership, which had been put into a blind trust.
Mr. Sorbara recalled yesterday how he had warned the exuberant, personable man about the perils of politics.
"The thing that sticks out in my mind so powerfully was a long chat about all the burden he would be taking on if he won and was in cabinet," Mr. Sorbara said. "A failed marriage, a very messy divorce, a business that was in decline because he's no longer the steward . . . his death is attributable to how much his life had changed as a result of becoming a politician."
Yesterday, Mr. Harris described him as, "Easily the most popular member of our caucus."
In a brief, emotional statement the Premier said, "Al loved life. He loved Canada. He appreciated everything this country gave to him. Of all the people I've met, he was the most generous in wanting to give back."
Arrangements for the funeral will be announced later.