By Andrew Macdonald
Scanning the Halifax Herald obits, I see a sad send-off for Garry Pye.
The NS- Truro-Lunenburg business leader passed away on April 6th, 2021, at age 71, “after a hard-fought battle with cancer and cancer-related complications” states his obit.
An only child, he grew up in Bible Hill and attended schools in Onslow and Success Business College. At the height of his career, Pye would go on to receive an MBA from St. Mary’s University’s Sobeys School of Business.
“Over the years, Garry accumulated experience and knowledge working for Zellers and bookkeeping for Truro Volkswagen.
“His business career really started in the mid-1970s when he purchased several small apartment buildings. This is when he realized his love and passion for business and working on a new “deal”!”, his obit reads.
“In 1983, he purchased Brett Motors (now Pye Chevrolet) which over the years led to the acquisition of four more dealerships”, the obit adds.
It was as a four dealership titan that he enrolled at SMU, and his send-off notes he “graduated top of the class alongside his daughter, Shannon, a very proud moment in his life”.
Garry Pye bought his first car dealership in Truro in 1983 – he’d go on to own four dealerships and was a serial entrepreneur, owning 20 different companies. He died this week, age 77. (Pye family photo).
A true serial entrepreneur, “Garry truly loved the challenges of working in business and proved it by forging ahead. Through the years, he was involved in over 20 businesses that employed over 600 people, of which he was extremely proud that included his family”, his obit says.
“Garry was a first-generation businessman who worked hard to get ahead, believed in the value of a handshake and felt strongly that his success was not due to him but to the combined skills, energy and enthusiasm of each of his managers, employees and partners”.
“One of those partners was his devoted friend, Brent MacGrath. They complimented each other with a passion and good sense for business, realizing that hard work and practicing good business ethics was the right direction for achieving success”.
Pye also gave back to his community. He served as chairman of the Colchester East Hants Hospital Foundation, chairman of the board of Colchester East Hants Health Authority, co-chair of the fund-raising committee for the new Truro hospital, served as chairman of the Truro Police Commission, was a member of the Kiwanis and Rotary club for several years and served on the Toyota National Dealer Council, according to his obit.
“Outside of his business career, Garry loved to spend time at his summer home in Lunenburg, a place very dear to him. He loved the beauty and peacefulness of the rugged Nova Scotia shore where his grandmother (four generations) landed in the late 1800s. Garry enjoyed boating, working in the woods and playing golf with his friends”, states his obit.
Pye is survived by his wife, Mary-Louise (Guillaume); children, Shannon Pye Wilson (Patrick Wilson), Traci Pye Roberts (Glenn Roberts), Andrew Pye, Alexandra Tung (Bryceton Tung); his stepchildren, James Macpherson (deceased), Heidi Macpherson (Andrew Caldwell), Jennifer Macpherson; and 10 grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Victorian Order of Nurses and SPCA, his obit adds.
“There will be a visitation on Sunday, April 11th from 2-5 p.m. in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro. COVID-19 restrictions will be in place”, adds his obit.
