Doug Ford Sr.

Early life and business career

Douglas Bruce Ford Sr. was born in Toronto in 1933, the son of English immigrants Celia McNicol and Ernest Ford. His father died the same year he was born, and he was raised by his single mother in the Danforth area of East York as the youngest of nine children. This upbringing instilled a strong work ethic and a connection to the Toronto area that would define his later life. Ford's path to business began when he co-founded Deco Labels & Tags Limited in 1962 alongside Ted Herriott, establishing the company in Rexdale, Ontario. The label manufacturing enterprise provided the financial stability for his family and became a frequently referenced element in his sons' political careers as evidence of private sector experience.

Provincial political career

Doug Ford Sr. entered provincial politics in the 1995 Ontario general election, running for the Progressive Conservatives in the riding of Etobicoke, Humber. He defeated the incumbent Liberal MPP, Jim Henderson, by a margin of approximately 4,500 votes. His election coincided with the rise of Mike Harris's Common Sense Revolution, which swept the PCs to a majority government. For his single term in office, Ford served as a backbench supporter of the Harris government, participating in the legislative agenda of the time. His political career was relatively brief but impactful for his family, introducing them to the workings of Queen's Park. In 1996, a provincial redistribution reduced the number of ridings from 130 to 103, forcing many sitting MPPs to compete for new nominations.

Ford sought the PC nomination in the newly created riding of Etobicoke Centre, challenging fellow Tory MPP Chris Stockwell. Despite receiving support from some cabinet members, including Jim Flaherty, Ford lost the nomination contest. This defeat effectively ended his career as an elected provincial representative, and he did not seek another seat in the 1999 election. He subsequently returned full time to the management of his business, Deco Labels & Tags.

Family and political dynasty

Doug Ford Sr. and his wife, Diane, had four children: Kathy, Randy, Doug, and Rob. The family home was in Etobicoke, fostering a deep local connection that would later form the base for their political campaigns. Following his own political example, three of his children pursued careers in public office, establishing the Ford family as a significant political force in Ontario. His son Rob Ford served as a Toronto city councillor for Etobicoke North from 2000 and as mayor of Toronto from 2010 to 2014.

Ford's grandson, Michael Ford, was elected to the Ward 2 council seat on Toronto City Council following Rob Ford's death in 2016. Several of Doug Ford Sr.'s descendants went on to have careers in politics. His son Rob Ford served as Mayor of Toronto from 2010 to 2014 and represented Ward 2 on Toronto City Council. His other son, Doug Ford, represented Ward 2 on Toronto Council from 2010 to 2014 and was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario in 2018. Doug Ford led the Conservatives to a majority government in the 2018 Ontario general election and serves as the Premier of Ontario.

Later life and death

After his defeat in the 1996 nomination contest, Ford retired from elected politics and returned to managing Deco Labels & Tags. He remained involved in his community and business until his health declined. His wife, Diane, survived him until her own death from cancer in January 2020. Ford was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Toronto, a location near a park that would later bear his name. In 2010, the city of Toronto renamed Weston Wood Park, a small green space on Royal York Road adjacent to the Humber River, in his honour.

A park on Royal York Road was renamed Douglas B. Ford Park in his honour in 2010. The small park has a playground and trees adjacent to the Humber River. The Ford family is located very near to the park. Ford is buried at Riverside Cemetery, which is near the park named in his honour.

Business legacy and references in contemporary politics

The business founded by Doug Ford Sr., Deco Labels & Tags, remains a central part of the Ford family narrative in politics. Both Premier Doug Ford and the late mayor Rob Ford consistently referenced their experience in the family business as a qualification for public office, framing themselves as practical businessmen rather than career politicians. In political biographies and promotional material, Premier Doug Ford is described as a dedicated community leader, successful businessman and passionate advocate for the people, with his background at Deco cited as evidence. This connection to private enterprise has been used to bolster a populist image while also attracting criticism over perceptions of favouring business interests. As premier, Doug Ford has often used the phrase 'open for business,' a slogan that echoes his father's entrepreneurial background.

His government's focus on attracting major investments, such as in electric vehicle manufacturing, and on infrastructure projects like highways and transit, is rhetorically linked to a business minded approach to governance. However, this association has also drawn scrutiny, with critics alleging that policies disproportionately benefit corporate donors and well connected developers. These controversies, which have marked the premier's tenure, are separate from the record of Doug Ford Sr. himself, whose business career was not the subject of such political debate during his lifetime. The Deco Labels company continues to operate, representing the tangible commercial legacy he built from the ground up.

Questions about Doug Ford Sr.

What company did Doug Ford Sr. found?

Doug Ford Sr. co-founded Deco Labels & Tags Limited in 1962 alongside business partner Ted Herriott. The company was a label manufacturing business based in Rexdale, Ontario. It became a successful family enterprise and is frequently cited by his sons in their political careers as evidence of their business background. The company remains part of the Ford family's story and commercial interests.

What riding did Doug Ford Sr. represent as an MPP?

Doug Ford Sr. represented the riding of Etobicoke, Humber. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1995 to 1999. He was elected in the 1995 provincial election, defeating incumbent Liberal Jim Henderson. For the next four years, he sat as a backbench supporter of Mike Harris's government.

Why did Doug Ford Sr. leave provincial politics?

His elected political career ended due to a riding redistribution in 1996. The number of provincial ridings was reduced, and Ford sought the Progressive Conservative nomination for the new riding of Etobicoke Centre. He lost the nomination contest to fellow Tory MPP Chris Stockwell. After this defeat, he did not run in the 1999 election and retired from elected office, returning to run his business.

Is there a park named after Doug Ford Sr.?

Yes, a park in Toronto was renamed in his honour in 2010. Originally called Weston Wood Park, it is now known as Douglas B. Ford Park. It is located on Royal York Road near the Humber River, close to the Ford family home. The park features a playground and green space, serving as a community memorial to his life and local connections.

How is Doug Ford Sr. related to Premier Doug Ford?

Doug Ford Sr. was the father of the current Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford. He was also the father of former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. Doug Ford Sr. and his wife, Diane, had four children named Kathy, Randy, Doug, and Rob. Several of his descendants pursued political careers, with his son Rob serving as Mayor of Toronto and his son Doug becoming Premier of Ontario. His grandson, Michael Ford, was also elected to the Toronto City Council seat representing Ward 2.

How did Doug Ford Sr. die?

Doug Ford Sr. died of colon cancer on September 22, 2006. He was diagnosed with the disease only six weeks before his death. His wife, Diane Ruth Campbell, later also died of cancer in January 2020. In his later life, after retiring from politics, he returned to running his business, Deco Labels & Tags Limited. A park on Royal York Road was renamed Douglas B. Ford Park in 2010 in his honour.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-23.