Grocery broker.
Born at Toronto, Ontario in 1879, son of Richard Mathew Persse and Eliza Blundell, he came to Winnipeg in 1898 where he played rugby and hockey with the Victorias. He joined the grocery brokerage firm of Tees and Persse Limited, founded in 1884 by James Tees and his brother, John B. Persse. He became President and Managing Director of the firm in 1927. He served as President of the Tourist and Convention Bureau of Winnipeg, and a President of the Winnipeg Board of Trade (1925-1927). During his term of office, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce was formed in Winnipeg under his chairmanship.
He served on the board of the Winnipeg General Hospital, and was for many years Chairman of the Manitoba Cancer Relief Institute. For seven years, he was President of the Manitoba Boy Scouts Association and, for five years, Vice-President of the Knowles School for Boys. He was a member of the Manitoba Club, Winnipeg Winter Club (President, 1932-1933), and St. Charles Country Club (President, 1941-1943).
He died while on a business trip at Toronto, Ontario on 29 August 1946 and was buried in the St. John’s Cathedral Cemetery.
“R. G. Persse dies suddenly in Toronto,” Winnipeg Free Press, 30 August 1946, page 1.
We thank Gail Konantz for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 5 November 2024
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