A Sudbury mining giant dies at 89: Gord Slade known for his smile and community service.

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Gord Slade, a Sudbury community leader and philanthropist, died Jan. 8, just a few weeks before his 90th birthday.

Slade, a graduate of McGill University (1951), retired from Falconbridge Ltd. after 32 years of service in 1984. He held the post of president of the Canadian Nickel Division and general manager, Sudbury Operations, after serving in areas of increasing responsibility.

In an interview for the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame, Slade said, "My objective was to be a shift boss, make $10,000 a year and be as well liked as my dad."

After retirement, Slade worked as a mining consultant and continued to participate on the boards of several mining corporations.

He was a leader in the Canadian Institute of Mining (Sudbury Branch chair, and vice-president for District 3), and was a recipient of the CIM Fellowship Award (1997).

In that same Canadian Mining Hall of Fame interview, Slade said, "My son says I am a professional volunteer." He served on the boards of many institutions including Laurentian University, Cambrian College, Sudbury United Way (chair), and Sudbury Community Adjustment Project (chair).

Slade championed the Sudbury Mining Heritage Sculpture in Bell Park.

He was also a member of the informal group, Greater Sudbury Municipal Watch or "The Silver Seven." This group of veteran community leaders were watchdogs over city politicians and bureaucrats for many years following amalgamation in 2001.

In 2016 he was awarded the Rotary Club of Sudbury's Paul Harris Award.

At his request, there will be no visitation or service. People may wish to make a donation in Slade's memory to the Gord and Pat Slade Heritage Fund with the Sudbury Community Foundation.

The Slade Foundation supports numerous non-profit organizations such as Brain Injury Association, Camp Quality, Nickel District Conservation Foundation, Northern Ontario Railway Museum and Heritage Centre, and Wild at Heart Wildlife Refuge Centre.

In November, Slade's son, Fred, represented his parents at a...

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