Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Southpoint Sun - 9
Frank Sherk helped shape town and business world by C. Scott Holland Nearly 50 years after his death, his name is still revered around Leamington. While the immediate impact isn’t as prevalent, mention the name Frank T. Sherk and many of the area’s older generation will render a story about him. But the one facet of his life that is most memorable is his love for Leamington and the hard work he put into making the local H. J. Heinz Co. one of the world’s business leaders. Born in Kingsville in 1903, his family moved to Leamington where he attended Mill St. Public School. In 1919, at the young age of 15, he began working at the Heinz factory and supplemented that by also working at Neilson’s shoe store. A few years later he attended the Leamington Business College to upgrade his education. It was while working on the line in the factory that his salesmanship became evident, and in 1928 he transferred to the Toronto sales office. During the next 20 years, Sherk traveled extensively across Canada. In 1936 he entered his first managerial position as a district supervisor for the Toronto branch. By 1944, he was in charge of promotion and advertising, and by May 1949, was the general sales manager. His rise in the company was only beginning. On May 16, 1956, he was named to the five-member Heinz International Executive board and on Sept. 18, 1958 he was elected the President of Heinz Company of
Canada Ltd. He would hold that position until 1962, when the Heinz Co. named him as the CEO, thus becoming the first non-Heinz family member to head the company. He retired two years later in 1964, but remained with the company as a consultant and director. His son Bill has often recalled just how busy a man his father was. “We would have breakfast with him and then he might fly from Windsor to Toronto and have lunch there before heading to Calgary and then back home before midnight.” He was so well-respected that Canadian Food Industry board honored him by stating that he was one of the most influential businessmen in the world. He sat on many boards and clubs, ranging from the food industry to local ones like the Leamington Hospital Board and the Chamber of Commerce. Two of the most important projects which he helped further were the fundraising and construction of the Leamington Arena (1953-54) and Leamington District Memorial Hospital (19491950). Often he did not forget his fellow citizens, giving Heinz workers rides to or from work and even taking time when passing through the factory to talk to the average line worker. The compassionate man with such business flare even had a street named after him, due to his abundant amount of community work. The dirt laneway which ran to the Heinz factory’s west side was given that
Frank T. Sherk shows that he didn’t mind getting dirty, as he drives a bulldozer during Heinz expansion in 1958. Scott Holland Collection photo
moniker in 1959, and would be extended and paved in the early 1960s. He was also honoured locally in 1963, when the Leamington Chamber of Commerce dedicated and honoured him at their annual meeting. His main tenet was that “Canadian businessmen had the efficiency and skills to be competitive with the best in the world.” Plus, he believed that Canadians should not wait for the right market conditions, but should be aggressive. His untiring spirit and inspiring leadership ended on Oct. 25, 1972, when he passed away in Toronto.
Frank T. Sherk pulls the one millionth can of Heinz baby food produced at the Leamington factory in 1955. Scott Holland Collection photo
June’s annual LifeWalk going virtual for Erie Shores Hospice LEAMINGTON — Since its inception in 2017, the Erie Shores Hospice LifeWalk event has raised $83,000 in support of the local Hospice campus, however due to COVID-19 plans had to drastically change for the event planned for 2020. “We already had the venue booked and we were putting plans in motion before everything changed,” stated Melissa Hunter, Erie Shores Health Foundation. “At first we thought we would have to cancel entirely but then decided that instead of giving up, we could try a different approach.” Traditionally the event has combined online and pledge formbased fundraising, with individuals and families completing a 5km walk in memory of their loved ones who have passed away. Usually featuring a marching band, a dove release ceremony, and spon-
sored lunch, the day is regarded as a community celebration and a heartwarming opportunity for families to come together. This year, instead of just one day, the entire of month of June has been declared LifeWalk Month. Participants are asked to choose their own physical challenge to complete at their own pace from the safety and comfort of their homes. New this year, all the fundraising will be done completely online, to reduce the risk of any transmission by soliciting neighbors or exchanging cash. “We want people to have fun with it! The challenge could be whatever you want it to be; such as going for a daily walk with your dog, or completing 100km on your Peloton bike this month, or rollerblading with your kids once a week.” Hunter explained, “Plus it
gives people a positive outlet and reason to stay active during these difficult times.” New for 2020, participants are asked to submit a photo of the honouree they are participating in memory of, which will be included in a special memorial video after the wrap-up of LifeWalk Month. All proceeds raised will go directly to support operational costs at the Hospice Erie Shores Campus, to cover the shortfall for expenses not covered through government funding. It is through continuous community support that all Hospice programs and services at the Erie Shores Residential Home and Welcome Centre are offered at no cost to residents or their families. To learn more or to register for the 2020 LifeWalk presented by TD Bank, visit www.ESHFoundation. ca and click Events.
