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JOHN GREGORY O'HANOLON
Born: Jul 06, 1935
Date of Passing: Mar 10, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJOHN GREGORY O'HANOLON
John Gregory O'Hanolon, a cherished member of the community, passed away on March 10, 2024.
Born on July 6, 1935, in England, John immigrated to Canada as a young man, seeking new opportunities. He began his career at Reward Shoes in Winnipeg, where his passion for footwear and dedication to customer service were evident from the start. A self-made entrepreneur, John later established his own men's and ladies' shoe store in 1975, expanding to include men's accessories tailored for the business community. His store, located on Lombard Place in Winnipeg's Richardson Building concourse, became synonymous with quality and style and was an icon of Portage Avenue and Main Street.
Throughout his career spanning over four decades, John was a prominent figure in the business community, known for his work ethic and commitment to his craft. He rarely missed a day of work, except when attending numerous conventions and seminars dedicated to footwear innovation and industry trends.
Beyond his professional achievements, John was deeply involved in community affairs. He served as a director of the Merchants Association, advocating for local businesses and fostering economic growth in Winnipeg. John also dedicated his time and expertise as a board member of Rainbow Stage, contributing to the cultural enrichment of the community through his support of the arts.
John Gregory O'Hanolon will be lovingly remembered by his friends and colleagues. His legacy of integrity, entrepreneurship, and community leadership will continue to inspire future generations.
A gathering of friends and community members to celebrate John's life will be held at Club 200, 190 Garry Street, Winnipeg on July 7, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. All who knew him are welcome to attend and share their memories of John.
We sincerely thank Bill Sheldon, Dan Millican, Don Wilson, Joel Sarbit, Larry Reid, and all of John's friends for their unwavering support and companionship during the last few years of his life.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 06, 2024, Jul 06, 2024
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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I always jokingly called him Lord John or Lord O'Hanlon as he had the air of British royalty. He always sold quality footwear at fair prices and took the time to insure the fit was right. I'll never forgot, in a tip of the hat to the olden days, John was one of the last shoe stores to have professional shoe shines in his shop. I think one of the men was Danny. Can't remember the other man's name. A complete professional shoeshine for $3. You had to be there! - Posted by: Morris Bay (Company of Poets) (Customer 1980s to 1990s) on: Jul 06, 2024