Former Waterloo MP, city councillor Andrew Telegdi dies
'Our community and country are better because of his contribution and dedication'
Tributes to Andrew Telegdi poured in Monday evening on news the former Kitchener-Waterloo MP and city councillor has died.
He was 70.
Telegdi served as a Liberal MP from 1993 to 2008, the first four years for the riding of Waterloo, then for the riding of Kitchener-Waterloo for 11 years. Prior to that, he was a Waterloo city councillor between 1985 and 1993.
Telegdi "worked hard for Canada and Waterloo in his long career as an MP," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted Monday night. "My sincere condolences to his family on his passing,"
The Liberal Party tweeted: "We've lost a great friend."
The Hon. Andrew Telegdi worked hard for Canada & Waterloo in his long career as an MP. My sincere condolences to his family on his passing.
—@JustinTrudeauOur thoughts are with Andrew Telegdi’s family. We've lost a great friend who served Kitchener-Waterloo with dedication and honour.
—@liberal_partyBorn in Hungary
Born in Hungary, Telegdi moved to Canada with his parents in 1957. They lived in Toronto before Telegdi attended the University of Waterloo, where he majored in political science and psychology. He was also involved in student politics, serving two terms as president of the Federation of Students.
He was involved with several local organizations, including the K-W Multicultural Centre, Catholic Family Counselling, St. John's Kitchen, The Working Centre, Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College.
Regional councillor Karen Redman remembered him as a man who made significant contributions to this area.
Andrew Telegdi was an early champion of our tech industry. He was a true BlackBerry Ambassador, promoting it wherever he went. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIP?src=hash">#RIP</a>
—@DaveJaworskyWaterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky remembered Telegdi for his "strong sense of justice and social fairness."
On behalf of <a href="https://twitter.com/CityKitchener">@CityKitchener</a>, saddened by news that frmr KW MP, Andrew Telegdi passed away. Thoughts & prayers with family & friends! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIP?src=hash">#RIP</a> <a href="https://t.co/6pETbWldtL">pic.twitter.com/6pETbWldtL</a>
—@berryonlineGovernment House Leader and Waterloo Liberal MP Bardish Chagger, who was once Telegdi's executive assistant, said her former boss "demonstrated what it means to represent the voices of our community."
"Andrew earned the respect of his colleagues in Ottawa on all sides of the House and across the nation by being an outspoken and passionate advocate for what he believed in," Chagger said in a statement Tuesday morning.
"I am proud to call Andrew a friend and mentor and I, along with the community, will miss him and his advice as much as we will all miss his contributions."