John Ruttan addressing a large gallery at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre's City of Nanaimo council chambers on Monday, Jan 20. (City of Nanamo)

By Ian Holmes

Freedom of the City

Classy, devoted Nanaimo advocate officially granted Freedom of the City status

Jan 21, 2025 | 3:09 PM

NANAIMO — More than sixty years ago a young John Ruttan moved to the Harbour City with humble beginnings renting a $65 a month Rosehill St. bachelor pad.

He would make significant contributions to countless service clubs, community events and the business community, culminating decades later to serve as mayor of the city he loved.

Ruttan was officially granted the prestigious Freedom of the City award on Monday, Jan 20, the highest honour a municipality can bestow on a citizen.

While the sociable and quick-witted Ruttan has never been accused of being short of words, tooting his own horn is part of his DNA.

“I don’t think there’s a finer city than you could find than Nanaimo, the people are great, the community has so much to offer,” Ruttan told a packed City Council gallery with family and friends in attendance.

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John Ruttan (L) and Leonard Krog (R) during a ceremony officially recognizing Ruttan as the 34th Freedom of the City recipient in Nanaimo (City of Nanaimo)

During a ceremony focused on himself, Ruttan stated the City is in good hands with the existing mayor and council in place.

Ruttan was a primary figure of the Nanaimo Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society for more than 50 years.

He served as commodore/chair of the signature Nanaimo event between 1984 and 1991.

Professionally, Ruttan was most widely known as the longtime owner/operator of a downtown Nanaimo travel agency.

The City of Nanaimo notes Ruttan’s civic contributions included serving as chair of the Nanaimo Port Authority, Nanaimo Hospitality Association, Tourism Nanaimo and local rotary clubs, among many other organizations.

Ruttan was involved with the aviation community as a member and pilot of the Nanaimo Flying Club and was also a member of a committee assisting with the expansion of Nanaimo Airport.

He served as Nanaimo’s mayor for two terms between 2008 and 2014.

Mayor Leonard Krog described Ruttan as caring, friendly and deeply committed to community service.

“A familiar face, a welcoming face – has probably punted a number of you around the world in various travels through his travel agency, I see some nodding heads in the audience, and just the kind of guy you always wanted to run into.”

Krog thanked Ruttan’s family for enabling the wildly popular Ruttan the time to serve so many important causes for so long.

Coun. Ian Thorpe said he’s always looked up to Ruttan as a role model and that he he can’t think of anybody more deserving of the Freedom of the City designation.

“I think as mayor of our city and a representative of our city you always set that positive tone – professional appearance, dignity and class,” Thorpe said.

Ruttan is the 34th recipient of the Freedom of the honour, a decision of City Council.

He’s the seventh mayor to receive the designation in Nanaimo, with the last one being the legendary Frank Ney.

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John Ruttan at the recent Frank Ney Memorial Polar Bear Swim on Dec. 26 at Nanaimo’s Departure Bay Beach. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)