The City of Fernie has announced with sadness the passing of former Mayor Mary Giuliano. Giuliano was a part of City Council from 2002 to 2018, serving three terms as a City Councillor and two terms as mayor.
She did run again in 2018 but did not succeed in getting a third term.
At the time she told The Free Press, “I’m not tired, I’m still passionate, I still want to do things, I’m just not ready to retire.”
When she first ran as a councillor, Giuliano came in with the second highest vote count, just 12 short of George Majic, a popular and highly respected community figure. In the next four elections, she topped the polls.
“Sometimes people forget what it means to be on council,” she said in 2018.
“It doesn’t mean that you come here because suddenly you’re important, or suddenly you’re going to do something fantastic, or that it gives you power, or like one person keeps saying, it’s personal development, no. It’s all about service. That’s all it is.
“You are there to help the public, to do whatever you can to serve the people that live in the area that you represent.”
“Mary’s graciousness and dedication to community service will long be remembered. Her passing is a loss to our community,” said Nic Milligan current City of Fernie Mayor, in the city’s announcement.
Flags at City of Fernie facilities will fly at half-mast this week in her honour.
