Former mayor Jim McIntyre dies in pedestrian collision

SooToday has confirmed former mayor James L. McIntyre died this morning, the victim of a pedestrian collision.

McIntyre was first elected to council when he was in his 20s and served as mayor of Sault Ste. Marie from 1960-1964.

He was also a longtime member of the police services board and hospital board, but it is McIntyre’s association with the International Bridge that was longest lasting.

He cut the ribbon on the 4,500-metre span on its official opening on Halloween Day in 1962 and maintained close ties to the bridge and its operation, serving for decades as president of the St. Mary’s River Bridge Co., the Canadian board of directors which represented the government’s interest in the bridge.

His dedication to the link that connects Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Sault, Michigan was recognized in 2012 during 50th anniversary celebrations for the structure’s opening.

McIntyre continued to maintain his involvement with the bridge, having been elected in November as chair of the board of directors that oversees operations for the International Bridge.

Police have not yet released the identity of the man killed in this morning’s pedestrian collision.

SooToday has independently confirmed the former mayor was the pedestrian in question.

We plan to add more to this story and McIntyre's impact on the community.

Breaking: Pedestrian dead in collision (update, 5 photos)

(FILE PHOTO: Portrait of former Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Jim McIntyre, seen in 2014 posing next to his official portrait.