Statue of Mayor Dressed as a Pirate

Nanaimo, British Columbia

Though Frank Ney was wacky, the citizens of his hometown of Nanaimo accepted him as he was and even elected him to be their mayor. He began dressing as pirate in the early 1960s as a way, he said, to draw attention to building lots that his real estate company was selling on a nearby island.

When Canada's 100th birthday came around in 1967, Frank was again cavorting as a pirate, in charge of the town's bathtub race, which is still held every year. Over time, the pirate costume came to be a part of Frank, who could be seen wearing it as he walked to his realty office or city hall.

Frank had 11 children, served as mayor for 20 years, and died in 1992. Two years later his pirate statue was dedicated. And in 2018 the town held a big party on what would have been his 100th birthday. His last wife attended the festivities and said, "I don't think that there are words that can ever describe Frank."