Eddie Francis

Edgar “Eddie” Francis is a politician, lawyer, businessman, and the 33rd mayor of the city of Windsor.

Mr. Francis was 29 years old when elected mayor in 2003, making him the youngest mayor in the City of Windsor’s history. He served on a number of local boards, and is the president & CEO of the Windsor Family Credit Union.

Francis was born in Windsor, Ontario in 1974, the same year his parents immigrated to Canada from Lebanon. In 1997 Francis and his brothers assumed operation of their father’s business, the Royal Pita Baking Company, and in 1999 he was awarded the Windsor Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award as the Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Francis graduated with a combined Honours Degree in Chemistry and Biology from the University of Windsor in 1997. He was first elected to CityEddie Francis Council in June of 1999, becoming the youngest Councillor in the City of Windsor’s history at the age of 25. He also held the positions as Director of the Windsor Canada Utilities, member of the Windsor Tunnel Commission, Chair of the Windsor Licensing Commission, and Chair of the International Relations Committee. In 1999, Francis enrolled in the University of Windsor Law School. He graduated in 2002, articled with the International Law Firm of Miller Canfield Paddock and Stone, and was called to the Bar of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

In 2003 Francis was elected the mayor of Windsor, and served eleven years in office over three terms. During his time as mayor he initiated a number of high-profile capital projects including planning the new (2018) city hall, the $1.4-billion Herb Gray Parkway, the WFCU Centre arena, the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre, the renovated downtown transit terminal, the expanded Windsor Airport runways, hotel Caesars Windsor expansion, the St. Clair Centre for the Arts/MediaPlex, the University of Windsor downtown campus, and the new Huron Lodge. Francis was also in office in 2009, during the 101-day municipal workers’ strike, which ended in a settlement. Francis would retire as mayor on December 1st 2014. This same year he joined the Windsor Family Credit Union as Executive Vice President. On June 1st, 2017 it was announced that Francis assumed the role of President and chief executive officer of WFCU. He was married to Dr. Michelle Prince, from 2002 until her death from cancer in 2018. Together they had two children.

Sources:

Cross, Brian. “Our hero’ Michelle Prince dies after 5-year cancer journey.” Windsor Star. Nov. 418, 2018. Web. Accessed Dec. 4, 2018.

City of Windsor: Mayor’s biography”. Wayback Machine. April 13, 2005. Web. Accessed April 19, 2018.

Doelen, Chris Vander. “Eddie Francis: How a young man made history”Windsor Star. Nov. 8, 2014. Web. Accessed April 19, 2018.

Eddie Francis biography”. Windsor Family Credit Union. Web. Accessed April 19, 2018.

Eddie Francis named president, CEO of WFCU”Windsor Star. June 1, 2017. Web. Accessed April 19, 2018.

Laidler, Nicole. “From laboratory to council chambers”. The University of Windsor Alumni Gazette. Fall 2008. Pp. 20-21.

“101 days on the picket line”. Windsor Star. July 25, 2009: A.5. Web. Accessed April 19, 2018. [PressReader.com available through WPL databases]

Schmidt, Doug. “Eddie Francis: The mayor and the “Windsor hustle“”. Windsor Star. Nov. 8, 2014. Web. Accessed April 19, 2018.