Senator's Statement

Honourable senators,

I rise today to pay tribute to Newfoundland and Labrador’s most iconic business leader and humanitarian, Mr. Ches Penney. He passed away at home on January 26, 2017 at age 84, surrounded by those who love him.

Ches Penney was founder and Chairman of the Penney Group of Companies. He  was born in 1932 in Carbonear - a small town in Newfoundland and Labrador. He was the eldest of 12 children. Mr. Penney lived a long and prosperous life and during his lifespan he was undoubtedly one of the greatest contributors to the success of my home province.  

His legacy includes the many companies that bear his name.  After his start in banking he built The Penney Group of companies. His industrial influence covers a wide range of industries including construction, engineering, automobile dealerships, property management and development, shipping and fisheries. The Penney Group is one of Newfoundland and Labrador's largest private commercial enterprises and employs thousands of people in my home province and further afield.

Ches Penney’s awards and recognition are also many. He received the Order of Canada in 2010 and the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011. He also received a Honourary doctorate from Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Junior Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador Business Hall of Fame, the EY Atlantic Entrepreneur of the Year and the Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International.

Colleagues, he was more than a successful industrialist. Humble and generous, Ches Penney was a man of few words and a man close to his roots. His generosity was unparalleled and his legacy will live on through all the people and organizations he helped. In 2009, he donated 1 million dollars towards a new YMCA in St. John's. He was quoted as saying:
“We have a number of businesses here and they've all done well, reasonably well. It's the community that's made us successful and we feel we have to give back.”

Ches Penney, a proud Newfoundlander, has left his mark on our province and our country through his immense involvement in our economic growth, industrial development and our community. I know that through the many recipients of his generosity, his knowledge and advice – his positive influence will continue.

Our generation is and future generations in Newfoundland and Labrador will be deeply indebted to Ches Penney. He embodies the notion that it’s not what you take but what you leave. On behalf of the Senate of Canada I wish to say to his beloved wife Iris, his children, grandchildren, great grandchild and his extended family— his memory and legacy will survive not only in you but in all of us. 

Thank you.