By paNOW

Businessman Jim Pattison inducted into Canadian Walk of Fame

Dec 11, 2018 | 6:38 AM

One of 10 new inductees into Canada’s Walk of Fame is the man behind one of the most successful groups of companies in the country.

Jim Pattison was honoured during the televised awards night on Sunday.

Canada’s Walk of Fame recognizes Canadians who have excelled on national and international stages in their respective fields, including music, sports, film and television, literary, visual and performing arts, science, innovation, philanthropy, and social justice.

“I was certainly very honoured to be included in that list,” Pattison told paNOW.

Pattison is the CEO and sole owner of Canada’s second largest privately held company, the Jim Pattison Group.

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He was born Oct. 1, 1928, in Saskatoon, but soon moved to Vancouver with his family where he still resides.

The Jim Pattison Group began in 1961 when Pattison purchased a General Motors automobile dealership. Since then he has lived his life according to a powerful philosophy.

“Everybody that takes risks gets defeated usually at some of them, and sometimes all of them,” he said. “But I have a philosophy that you don’t lose when you lose, you only lose when you quit, so determination and grit are great assets to have when you’re trying to do new things.”

Pattison served as a director on a number of public company boards on both the New York and Toronto exchanges and serves as a trustee on the board of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.

He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1987, and the Order of British Columbia in 1990. He was also honoured with the Governor General’s Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary in Canada. As well, he has been inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.

He celebrated his 90th birthday in October and remains very connected to his group of companies.

“I thank the good Lord for giving me the opportunity to be born in and raised in Western Canada, and I’m very grateful for the fact that I’ve had good health and I take one day at a time. But I’m working regularly and I like what I do, so I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” he said.

The list of 10 new inductees into the Walk of Fame was announced in July. Others on that list include Leonard Cohen, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Chris Hadfield, Andy Kim, Andrea Martin, Jessie Reyez, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.

Each inductee represents a different pillar of excellence which all Canadians can strive to achieve.

The Canadian Walk of Fame has inducted 173 Canadians to date, with stars having a permanent place of tribute on the streets of Toronto’s Entertainment District.