Thomas Rennie | |
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Born |
Markham, Ontario, Canada | December 14, 1868
Died | August 4, 1952 | (aged 83)
Nationality | Canadian |
Occupation(s) | businessman, politician |
Thomas Rennie (1868-1952) was a Canadian businessman and politician. [1] [2]
Rennie and his two brothers took over the operation of his father's successful seed business when William Rennie retired in 1889. [2] [3] Rennie became chair of the firm in 1925, following the retirement of his older brother, Robert. [4] Rennie would later become a director of the Canadian Seed Trade Association. [5]
He was appointed a member of the powerful Toronto Harbour Commission serving as its chair for many years. [2] [4] Popular historian Mike Filey wrote that he was appointed in 1930, was promoted to chair in 1936, and served a total of seventeen years. John McCutcheon, of Wilfrid Laurier University, wrote that he was appointed in 1921, was promoted to chair in 1938, and served a total of twenty-six years.
In 1951 the Commission recognized Rennie's contribution by naming its most recent ferry after him. [1] [6] Rennie's daughter, his only child, christened the vessel.
In 1946 Rennie and his older brother Robert filed objections when Jaroslav Racek filed a request to change his name to Gilbert Rennie. [4] Racek was a naturalized Canadian of Czech descent, who had lived in Canada for twenty-one years. McCutcheon suggested their objections were motivated by bigotry.
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In 1951, a sister ship to the Sam McBride (identical in all respects), was added to the fleet. This one was christened THOMAS RENNIE, after a prominent Toronto businessman and long-time Harbour Commissioner.
A former Toronto Harbour Commissioner, Rennie lived long enough to see the vessel christened in his honour. He died the next year aged 84.
Thomas Rennie | |
---|---|
Born |
Markham, Ontario, Canada | December 14, 1868
Died | August 4, 1952 | (aged 83)
Nationality | Canadian |
Occupation(s) | businessman, politician |
Thomas Rennie (1868-1952) was a Canadian businessman and politician. [1] [2]
Rennie and his two brothers took over the operation of his father's successful seed business when William Rennie retired in 1889. [2] [3] Rennie became chair of the firm in 1925, following the retirement of his older brother, Robert. [4] Rennie would later become a director of the Canadian Seed Trade Association. [5]
He was appointed a member of the powerful Toronto Harbour Commission serving as its chair for many years. [2] [4] Popular historian Mike Filey wrote that he was appointed in 1930, was promoted to chair in 1936, and served a total of seventeen years. John McCutcheon, of Wilfrid Laurier University, wrote that he was appointed in 1921, was promoted to chair in 1938, and served a total of twenty-six years.
In 1951 the Commission recognized Rennie's contribution by naming its most recent ferry after him. [1] [6] Rennie's daughter, his only child, christened the vessel.
In 1946 Rennie and his older brother Robert filed objections when Jaroslav Racek filed a request to change his name to Gilbert Rennie. [4] Racek was a naturalized Canadian of Czech descent, who had lived in Canada for twenty-one years. McCutcheon suggested their objections were motivated by bigotry.
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In 1951, a sister ship to the Sam McBride (identical in all respects), was added to the fleet. This one was christened THOMAS RENNIE, after a prominent Toronto businessman and long-time Harbour Commissioner.
A former Toronto Harbour Commissioner, Rennie lived long enough to see the vessel christened in his honour. He died the next year aged 84.