Denise Small biography: Denise Small is a mediation officer for the Ontario Labour Relations Board. She married Canadian labour leader Buzz Hargrove, who passed away on June 15, 2025, at the age of 81. Her husband served as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University and was President of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW). She has a daughter named Lisa Hargrove.
He supported the New Democratic Party. Initially, he worked in the automotive sector and achieved success under Bob White as President of the CAW in 1992.
He also worked as an author on the book Labour of Love: The Fight to Create a More Humane Canada, co-written with Wayne Skene. He earned honorary doctorates from the University of Windsor in 2003, Wilfrid Laurier University in 2004, the University of New Brunswick in 2008, and Queen’s University in 2009.
Lana Payne, President of Unifor, said:
“Buzz Hargrove was a giant in the Canadian labour movement. He never forgot where he came from, and he carried that working‑class spirit with him into every boardroom, bargaining session, and public forum. His passion, his intellect, and his uncompromising belief in justice for working people shaped the labour movement we know today.”
Oshawa-area labour representatives wrote on Facebook:
“I wish to join with autoworkers and labour representatives from Oshawa and from coast to coast … we are deeply saddened to learn…”
Payne also wrote:
“Buzz showed us what it means to fight with heart and with strategy… We owe him a debt of gratitude for everything he did to build a fairer Canada… Our union has lost an extraordinary champion. His memory will live on in the work we do every day to fight for justice, fairness, and dignity for all workers.”
