'Mr. Tom' Leon dies at 83
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, February 23, 2009
Toronto — Toronto— Anthony T. Leon, family patriarch and longtime president and CEO of retailer Leon's Furniture, died last week at the age of 83.
Mr. Tom, as he was affectionately known in the company and throughout Canada's furniture industry, was one of 11 children of Lena and Ablan Leon, who founded what is now Leon's Furniture Ltd. in 1909 with a store in Welland, Ontario.
"Mr. Tom's contribution to the success of Leon's Furniture Limited can in no way be overstated," the company said in a statement. "When our founder Ablan Leon passed away, Mr. Tom and his siblings took over the operation of the original single store in Welland. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Tom and his four brothers set out to expand the business."
The statement added that Tom Leon introduced big-box retailing in Canada in the early 1970s and led the computerization of the retailer's operation, "making Leon's among the first retailers in Canada to enjoy the benefits of online inventory and sales data."
In the early 1980s, he created Leon's franchise division, which "has grown to become an integral part of our company's success," the statement said.
"To say he was a pioneer would be an understatement. His countless innovations provided the foundations for Leon's current and ongoing success."
He worked at the company for 63 years and was chairman, president and CEO until 2005, when he was named chairman emeritus.
He was the Canadian Home Furnishings Alliance's first Retailer of the Year in 2002.
"One of Mr. Tom's most fervent desires was to see the day our company celebrated our 100th year in business. We are very happy to say that in January of 2009, Mr. Tom, in his position as chairman emeritus, was able to share our pride in achieving this great milestone," the company said.
In his memory, the family is requesting donations be made to the Tom Leon Charitable Foundation, 45 Gordon MacKay Road, Toronto, Ontario M9L 2R8.
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