As we await details of the state funeral for the Honourable David Onley, flags at City of Toronto buildings as well as at Queen’s Park have been lowered to honour the former Ontario lieutenant-governor.

Tributes have poured in for David Onley, who during his time in office from 2007 to 2014, served as the chair of the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council and a member of the accessibility councils for the Rogers Centre and the Air Canada Centre.

David Onley became a public figure when he was hired by ZoomerMedia Founder and CEO Moses Znaimer, co-founder and former head of CITY TV, who brought David on as a science and weather specialist in 1984 and never mentioned his disability.

Moses released a statement on David Onley’s passing which reads:

“Almost everyone remembered for their greatness has had to overcome obstacles in their path. If they suffered weakness in one area that called forth compensation in another. As exceptional as David was, he would be the first to tell you there are many more just like him.

Any community is only as strong as it is diverse. The perspective and tenacity that people with disabilities need to succeed often lead to original insights and society would be well served to foster this resource.”

David Onley was 72.