Leonard Arthur Kitz

Leonard Arthur Kitz

Leonard Arthur Kitz (April 9, 1916 - January 30, 2006) was the first Jewish mayor of Halifax, Nova Scotia (1955-1957).

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia to Harry and Yetta (Lesser) Kitz, he grew up with older sister Hildred Kitz (Silver) and younger brother Joe. He attended Halifax's Protestant school system (there being no state-supported school for non-Christians) and graduated from the Halifax Academy. He attended Dalhousie University, where he studied law, graduating from Dalhousie Law School in 1938.

With World War II breaking out in Europe in 1939 Kitz joined the Canadian Army becoming an Infantry Officer in the Princess Louise Fusiliers. During the war he served in Italy and Holland. After the war he served as a lawyer in military tribunals.

While serving in England in 1945 Kitz met and married Dr. Alice Duff Findlay. The two returned to Halifax after the war where Kitz opened his own law firm, located on Granville Street. His law firm was eventually joined by Robert Matheson becoming Matheson and Kitz. Kitz served as President of the Nova Scotia Barristers Association from 1968-1969.

In 1948 Kitz decided to get into politics when he was elected an Alderman in Halifax. He served as an alderman from 1948-1955. At the time, tradition stated that the office of Halifax alternated between Catholics and Protestants; Kitz broke that pattern in his 1955 election. Kitz is most remembered for his part as the 'driving force' behind the funding and construction of a statue of Winston Churchill which is a landmark on Halifax's Spring Garden Road.

Kitz was re-elected in 1956 but two years later resigned the mayorship to run, unsuccessfully, as a Liberal for parliament in the federal riding of Halifax.

Kitz first wife died in 1969. He remarried in 1971 Janet Brownlee. Janet is a renowned historian of the Halifax Explosion and the author of a number of books on the subject.

References

Tribute at the Nova Scotia Barristers Association by Daniel N. Paul. [http://www.danielnpaul.com/Col/1997/LeonardKitz-HumanRightsTrailblazer.html]


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