Share
Hundreds of family relations, friends, and Unifor members gathered to celebrate the remarkable life of Basil “Buzz” Hargrove at the historic Automotive Building at Toronto’s Exhibition Grounds on September 21, 2025.
Buzz’s journey was one defined by courage, fairness, and an unwavering belief in the power of working people.
From his humble beginnings in Holmesville, New Brunswick, where he grew up as one of ten children in a modest home without central heating or running water, Buzz Hargrove carried forward a deep sense of fairness, solidarity, and justice that first took root in that small rural community. Those early lessons took him from the Chrysler assembly line in Windsor to the national presidency of the Canadian Auto Workers, where his voice and vision left a lasting mark on the country.
The Celebration of Life opened with a warm welcome from Unifor National President Lana Payne who reflected on the influence Buzz continues to have on Canada’s labour movement.
“Buzz Hargrove believed in using the power of collective bargaining to change lives, and he changed lives. He also saw it as a tool to also advance equality. He believed in a better world, in social unionism and he knew exactly how our union could be a force for good. At the bargaining table, but also beyond it,” said Payne.
Buzz’s daughter, Laura Hargrove, shared a moving family tribute, offering heartfelt memories of her father not only as a public leader but as a devoted parent and grandfather.
“Growing up with Dad was like living with a force of nature. He could stare down CEOs at the bargaining table but at home he was just Dad teaching us to read, lean in, stay active, be brave, work hard and care for others,” Hargrove shared. “He loved life. He loved to sing. He would light up telling stories about his younger days. Those little things made him my Dad, not just a legend. I feel him in the values that he left me - to stand tall, fight hard and love fiercely.”
Jim O’Neil, former CAW National Secretary-Treasurer, spoke about their six-decade long friendship and the strength and leadership Buzz brought to difficult negotiations.
“Buzz understood fully that the union’s success in bargaining laid the structural and moral foundation for everything else the union does,” said O’Neil. “Buzz said a union that doesn’t take risks, and push the envelope, is a union that fails its responsibility to challenge the status quo. Including our own status quo, right here within the labour movement.”
Ernie Eves, former Premier of Ontario, offered reflections from outside the labour movement, highlighting Buzz’s ability to reach across political divides and remain true to his principles.
“I don’t think friendship has any political boundaries. Buzz always referred to me as the social conscience of the Conservative government. I always thought that Buzz was the business practical aspect of the union movement,” said Eves.
“I have nothing but great things to say about Buzz Hargrove. He was a true, true leader. A Canadian icon, and I hate to think of where you or Canada would be without him. You know it’s said that you can measure a person by the size of their heart, and Buzz had a very big heart indeed.”
Buzz’s political outreach was also remembered in a letter from former NDP Ontario Premier Bob Rae, read aloud at the service.
“Buzz’s key qualities were his candour and bluntness, his personal warmth, his sense of fun and humour, and his complete dedication to the well being of working people and their unions. He was a fighter in the best of ways,” wrote Rae.
A moving tribute video brought together the voices of Unifor’s elected leaders and those who had walked alongside Buzz throughout the movement, underscoring the depth and breadth of his influence.
In addition to those in Toronto, people watched virtually from across the country, including at a gathering at Local 444 in Windsor, Ontario.
To honour Buzz Hargrove’s New Brunswick roots, Local 219 in Nackawic hosted a special tribute event and virtual viewing of the Celebration of Life, where Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray joined members in remembering one of their own.
National Secretary-Treasurer Len Poirier, Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier, Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle and Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi were among the Unifor leaders in attendance at the Toronto service.
Senator Hassan Yussuff, former Canadian Labour Congress President, spoke to Buzz’s lasting legacy in the development of human rights training and inclusion of equity groups within the union.
“This was truly transformational in our organization at that time. Those decisions led to a more diverse union, a stronger union, a union that could defend its members, but it also changed the culture,” said Yussuff. “We lost a great leader who has touched many lives.”
Bringing the ceremony back to the personal, stepson Darren Hill donned a CAW jacket as he shared stories from home that highlighted Buzz’s humour, warmth, and generosity.
“Buzz had this ability to make everyone around him feel important and empowered. He had this strength that he could impart on you with a few words, sometimes no words at all. It was this ability that made him such an incredible leader and an even better family man,” said Hill. “Buzz positively impacted so many people and although he isn’t with us, he left behind a legacy that will last forever. If we all borrow a bit of that strength when we need it the most that’s a legacy Buzz would be proud to leave behind.”
Ken Lewenza, former CAW National President, closed the tributes by honouring Buzz as a champion for workers, a mentor and a friend, sharing his final conversation with Buzz in hospital.
“I grabbed his hand and said Buzz I love you. You have contributed so much in your 60 years as a trade unionist. I was a benefactor of your hard work as were tens of thousand of workers from one end of the country to the other,” Lewenza said.
In closing, Lewenza issued a heartfelt call to action in Buzz Hargrove’s memory.
“Ask yourself what Buzz Hargrove has meant to you and your family, what Buzz Hargrove has meant to your community, what Buzz Hargrove has meant to your country and ask yourself if we can do better in building a movement for the next generation. That generation now must pick up the torch in memory of Buzz Hargrove.”
In her final remarks Lana Payne expressed gratitude for the chance to share in Buzz’s life and work.
“How lucky are we to have known Buzz Hargrove, to have been inspired by him, to have learned from him. His legacy cannot be denied. It lives on in this union,” concluded Payne.
The crowd then stood in a moment of silence, before voices rose together for “Solidarity Forever,” performed by Michael O’Grady & Friends. The song, an anthem of working people, captured the spirit of the man they had gathered to honour.
As the service ended and guests moved into the foyer for the reception, the atmosphere was filled with stories, laughter, and embraces. It was clear that Buzz’s influence extended far beyond the bargaining table or the picket line.
He will be remembered as a master negotiator, mentor, husband, father, grandfather, and above all, a tireless advocate for fairness and justice—his legacy continuing to inspire generations of working people across Canada.
View the Celebration of Life photo album here.
