Memorable Manitobans: John Edward Spear (1902-1955)

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John Edward Spear
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Businessman.

Born at Winnipeg on 21 August 1902, son of John Robert Spear and Christina Isabel McKinnon (1868-1951), he worked for the Saskatchewan Elevator Company (1922-1925) then joined the sales staff of the British Columbia Gypsum Company. In 1929, he began working as a salesman for his father’s newly established company, Western Gypsum Products Limited, and rose to become its Sales Manager, Director, and, as of 1949, President.

He was a member of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Manufacturers Association (Manitoba Branch), Manitoba Club, Winnipeg Jockey Club, WInnipeg Rugby Football Club, Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club, Masons (Prince Rupert Lodge), and Augustine United Church. He lived at 845 Wellington Crescent with his wife Mary Ena Lawler (c1907-1989) and their daughter.

He died at the Misericordia Hospital on 12 January 1955 and was buried in the Elmwood Cemetery.

Sources:

Birth registration, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

“Gypsum firm President dies at 52,” Winnipeg Free Press, 13 January 1955, page 11.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 15 January 1955, page 29.

Obituary [Mary Ena Spear], Winnipeg Free Press, 15 May 1989, page 26.

We thank Linda Spear for providing information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 13 October 2024

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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