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Mayors past & present give tributes to Morelli

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(Updated) Former Hamilton mayor Larry di Ianni joined Phil Perkins at city hall this morning to share his memories of councillor Bernie Morelli with CHCH News.

Morelli died last night after a long illness. He was 70.

Di Ianni called Morelli “the quintessential Hamiltonian. He was tough as steel with a heart of gold.”

“He had a soft spot for seniors and he was representative of the area I was raised in. (He) always asked how they were doing when they were still alive and committed to senior issues as well as other issues in his ward, but also passionate about policing and public safety.”

And present Mayor Bob Bratina recalled the changes underway now in Morelli’s ward.

“Bernie’s goal and dream was to have this growth that we are having now in the Pan Am precinct and so you may recall a council meeting a few weeks ago when all to approve the recreational centre seniors centre and so I think Bernie really wanted to see that development occur and it did in his lifetime.”

Video: Bob Bratina remembers Morelli on Morning Live:

City councillors held a moment of silence to remember Morelli. A committee meeting that was to be held today has been postponed.