William Hawrelak
| William Hawrelak | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 24th Mayor of Edmonton | |
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In office November 7, 1951 – September 9, 1959 |
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| Preceded by | Sidney Parsons |
| Succeeded by | Frederick John Mitchell |
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In office October 16, 1963 – March 11, 1965 |
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| Preceded by | Elmer Ernest Roper |
| Succeeded by | Vincent M. Dantzer |
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In office October 16, 1974 – November 7, 1975 |
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| Preceded by | Ivor Dent |
| Succeeded by | Terry Cavanagh |
| Alderman on the Edmonton City Council | |
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In office November 2, 1949 – November 7, 1951 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 3, 1915 Shandro, Alberta |
| Died | November 7, 1975 (aged 60) Edmonton, Alberta |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Political party | Citizens Committee, Independent |
| Other political affiliations |
Liberal Party of Canada |
| Spouse(s) | Pearl Shandro |
| Children | Three daughters |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Signature |  |
William Hawrelak (October 3, 1915 – November 7, 1975) was a politician in Alberta, Canada, the longest-serving mayor in Edmonton's history, and a candidate for election to the Canadian House of Commons.
Hawrelak was born in Shandro, Alberta to Ukrainian immigrants William and Anastasia Hawrelak (the family's ancestral name was Гавриляк (Havryliak)). He married Pearl Shandro (daughter of Alberta MLA Andrew Shandro, after whom Hawrelak's hometown was named) the pair would have three daughters.
In 1945, Hawrelak moved to Edmonton and purchased the Prairie Rose Manufacturing Co., which made soft drinks. He served as president of the Alberta Farmer's Union and of the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues before entering politics.
Hawrelak's first attempt at political office took place in the 1948 municipal election, in which he ran for Edmonton City Council and was defeated, finishing seventh of twelve candidates for alderman. He was more successful in the next election, winning the last available aldermanic position by finishing sixth of nine candidates after being backed by the Citizens' Committee, a municipal political party dominated by Anglo-Saxon businessmen.
In 1951, he took over as mayor on an interim basis when Sidney Parsons had to leave the position for health reasons. In that year's election, he won the position more permanently by winning more than sixty-five percent of the vote and defeating the returned Parsons and one other candidate.
Hawrelak initially saw considerable political success: his re-election bids in the 1953 and 1955 elections were unopposed, and in the 1957 election he easily dispatched his two challengers, both former aldermen, winning more than sixty-five percent of the vote.
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