Walter Hachborn
Walter Hachborn, (July 24, 1921 – December 16, 2016) was a Canadian businessman and co-founder, with two others, of Home Hardware, a Canadian home improvement and construction retailer which supplies contractors and individual retail consumers. Early life. Born in Conestogo, Ontario, he lived in St. Jacobs, Ontario most of his life. Career. He started working in the hardware industry in 1938 and created Home Hardware in 1964 with two partners, Henry Sittler and Arthur Zilliax. He had been its president since the beginning seeing the company grow from 122 dealers to over 1100 stores and annual sales of  over $6 billion. He retired from day-to-day operations in 1988 and retained the title of President Emeritus until 2010 with more than 75 years in the hardware industry. Recognition. In 1985, he was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, where he served as a member of WLU's board of governors for 10 years. In 1988, the Retail Council of Canada recognized Hachborn's success at Home Hardware. In recognition of this accomplishment he was presented with the Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Award. He was also awarded the distinction of  Retailer of the Century in 1999. In 1999, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada. He was named to the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 2014. Death. Hachborn died on December 16, 2016, at the age of 95.