Hamilton philanthropist David Braley dead at 79

David Braley, the Hamilton businessman, CFL franchise owner and former senator, had died at 79.

The owner of auto-parts manufacturer Orlick Industries Limited, he also owns B.C. Lions and formerly the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

He was enshrined into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

Braley, once called a 'national treasure,' was a respected Hamilton philanthropist and businessman whose name is emblazoned on buildings across the city.

In 2015, McMaster University named its downtown campus the David Braley Health Sciences Centre after Braley earmarked $10 million to go to the new 192,000 square-foot facility in 2007.

Braley was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 2010, but resigned in 2013.

He was formally appointed to the Order of Canada along with 119 other Canadian leaders in 2019, named by Gov.-General Julie Payette.

More coming.