Penney's owner Galen Weston passed away on 12 April 2021 at the age of 80.
In a statement, the group noted that the supermarket giant, who also owned Canadian supermarket Loblows, passed away 'peacefully at home after a long illness faced with courage and dignity.'
'A dutiful son, a beloved husband, a proud father, a devoted grandfather, a loving brother, W. Galen Weston dedicated his life to the service of his family, his businesses, and his community. His leadership and entrepreneurial spirit built international food, retail, and real estate companies which include Brown Thomas, Arnotts, Loblaw, Choice Properties, Selfridges Group, and Weston Foods'.
Galen G. Weston, chairman and CEO, George Weston Ltd, said that "my father's greatest gift was inspiring those around him to achieve more than they thought possible. In our business and in his life he built a legacy of extraordinary accomplishment and joy."
Alannah Weston, chairman, Selfridges Group, said that the luxury retail industry "has lost a great visionary. His energy electrified those of us who were lucky enough to work alongside him to reimagine what customer experience could be."
Commitment To Philanthropy
Galen Weston retired as chairman of George Weston Ltd in 2016, but continued his lifelong commitment to philanthropy through the Weston Family Foundation, the Weston Brain Institute, and many other organisations.
The group stated that Galen and his wife Hilary supported each other in family, business and community engagements 'through 55 years of a deeply loving marriage', and that Galen was particularly proud of Hilary's five-year term as Ontario's 26th Lieutenant Governor.
Photo Caption: W. Galen Weston, George Weston Limited Annual General Meeting, 2001, Toronto.
© 2021 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click sign up to subscribe to Checkout.
