Frederick Joseph McMahon

Frederick Joseph McMahon (1914 - March 6, 1988) was a public official in Ontario. He was a lawyer, best known for defending the bank robber Edwin Alonzo Boyd, reeve of North York, Ontario, and then a provincial judge.[1] As a lawyer, McMahon was well-known for having defended bank robbers Edwin Alonzo Boyd and his brother Norman in their 1952 trials.[2]

Frederick Joseph McMahon
7th Reeve of North York
In office
January 1, 1953 – December 31, 1955
Preceded byNelson Boylen
Succeeded byVernon Singer
Personal details
Born1914
Toronto, Ontario
DiedMarch 6, 1988 (aged 73}
North York, Ontario
Spouse(s)Ruth
Children3
Occupationjurist

McMahon was born in Toronto. He studied law at Osgoode Hall before joining the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. After being demobilized he began his law practice in the Toronto suburb of North York. He moved to the township of North York, in 1945 and begun his law practice.[3]

McMahon was first elected to North York township council in January 1950.[4] In 1952, he ran against reeve Nelson Boylen, defeating him in an upset victory by more than 1,500 votes after a campaign in which he promised to bring industry to the largely rural municipality. He also promisted to expand the municipal government to reflect North York's rapid population growth since the war.[3][5][2]

McMahon, fearing that North York was facing bankruptcy, supported the province's proposal to federate the city of Toronto with 12 surrounding townships and villages to create Metropolitan Toronto in 1953.[6][7]

McMahon was re-elected in 1953, 1954, and 1955.[8][9]

As a member of Metropolitan Toronto's executive committee, McMahon supported thevfluoridation of water.[10]

McMahon attempted to enter provincial politics in the 1955 provincial election running as the Liberal candidate in York Centre, losing by 1,100 votes.[2][3][11]

McMahon did not stand for re-election in 1956.[12]

In 1969, the provincial government appointed McMahon to the bench as a provincial court judge.[13]

References
  1. "McMahon, Frederick Joseph" (obituary) Toronto Star, March 7, 1988, page C10.
  2. "McMahon defeats Boylen in N. York", Toronto Daily Star, December 2, 1952, page 22.
  3. "York Centre - Reeve and Deputy Vie for Seat in New Riding", Globe & Mail, June 2, 1955, page 4.
  4. "3 Big Issues in North York Election, Globe & Mail, December 2, 1950, page 4.
  5. "Lawyer Provides Upset: 3-Time North York Reeve Beaten", Globe & Mail, December 2, 1952, page C5.
  6. "Mayors, Reeves Happy, Yet Fearful Suburbs May Be Rubber Stamps", by Alden Baker, Globe & Mail, January 22, 1953, page 9
  7. "North York Nearly Bankrupt, Metro Saved It, Reeve Says", Globe & Mail, January 18, 1955, page 4
  8. "Acclaim McMahon In North York; Race for Council", Globe & Mail, November 24, 1953, page 5.
  9. "Fred McMahon Is Re-elected N. York Reeve", Globe & Mail, December 6, 1955, page 13
  10. "Vote 3-to-2 to Appeal Ruling on Fluoridation", March 28, 1956, page 5.
  11. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vCAvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TN0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4268%2C2256424
  12. "Reeve Retires After 4 Years In North York", Globe & Mail, September 14, 1956, page 5.
  13. "Just rewards: Metro councillors go on to bigger and better things", by Alden Baker, Globe & Mail, July 19, 1976, page 5.
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