Preceded by Jack Leslie Succeeded by Ross Alger Education Concordia University | Role Politician Name Rod Sykes | |
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Born May 19, 1929 (age 94)
Montreal, Quebec ( 1929-05-19 ) | ||
James Rodney Winter "Rod" Sykes (born May 19, 1929) is a Canadian politician. He served as the 30th Mayor of Calgary from 1969 to 1977 and as leader of the Alberta Social Credit Party from 1980 to 1982. Sykes quit as party leader in 1982, frustrated by Social Credit's internal and financial problems.
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Early life
Sykes was born in 1929 in Montreal, Quebec, and was primarily raised in Victoria, British Columbia. He attended Sir George Williams University in Montreal. He also has a sister, Anne, who lives in Victoria.
Career
In 1984, he was nominated by Alan Clarke, Calgary East Federal Liberal Riding Association Vice President, to run for the Liberal Party for a seat in the House of Commons, in the former riding of Calgary East. At the time this was the largest riding in Canada.
Sykes was acclaimed at a nomination meeting with over six-hundred members in attendance. Despite being the only Liberal candidate endorsed by the Calgary Sun that year, he lost to Progressive Conservative Alex Kindy in the general election.
Personal life
He and his wife Gisèle (Deceased) have five children and fourteen grandchildren.
Sykes was a long-time friend of professional wrestler and promoter Stu Hart.