Vernon "Herb" Watt Hall

Vernon, or as many know him, Herb, Hall was born on July 22, 1929 and raised in Galt, Ontario along with his three siblings, Ruth, Bud and Marilyn. Herb was an energetic and adventurous young man who left home at age 15 with a Grade 9 education. He supported himself through a variety of jobs such as brakeman with Canadian Pacific, driving cabs, working for an undertaker driving the hearse, conducting sales transactions at Aldridge Brothers, a building supplies store, and then as the Eastern Sales representative for Regent Plywood, a wholesale plywood business.

At age 16 Herb started dating Elizabeth (Betty) Graham whom he married four years later in 1950. Herb and Betty were married for 50 years up until Betty passed away in 2000. Herb and Betty had three children Deborah, Judith and James.

Herb moved his family to Peterborough, ON in 1957 to assume the Manager position of the Regent Plywood warehouse. Regent Plywood was later bought by CANFOR (Canadian Forest Products). Herb worked for Regent/CANFOR from 1952 to 1964. In 1964 Herb was offered a partnership with Peterborough Lumber Company Limited and joined the company first as a Sales Manager and later as Vice President and General Manager. Herb worked there from 1964 – 1975 and during that period, helped to grow the company from two lumberyards to seven.

Peterborough Lumber was eventually sold to Cashway Lumber at which time Herb received a cash infusion and Herb subsequently bought three local companies – Jones Brothers Fuel Oil, Perc Cooper’s waste oil and Jim Elmhurst’s water business and started the Hall Oil Company. Herb later sold the two oil businesses and established another company called Hall Carriers Inc.

At age 44, Herb semi-retired and travelled the world with his wife, Betty. On return from his worldly travels, he accepted a position with Cashway Lumber and sold the house and the boat to move to Mississauga for two years. In 1981, Herb happily returned to Peterborough as the owner of a Beaver Lumber Franchise where he grew the business from 18 employees to 40.

During this time, Herb also bought the C&T Tool and Dye shop in Peterborough in partnership with David Forsythe and Herb later sold his shares to Dave. Herb also bought Peterborough Warehousing in partnership with Jeff Nicholls. Jeff later sold his shares to Herb and the company is now managed by Herb’s son Jim Hall and Terry Olmstead.

Herb was always an avid boater and has owned and enjoyed many boats of his own with his family and friends with his first being a 38’ boat called Herbet (Herb & Betty) and the most recent being a 43’ Carver called Ciao Bella II.

Herb and wife Betty took their 35’ cabin cruiser ‘Saeawin’ from their home on Chemong Lake down the East coast to winter in Sarasota, Florida. In 1977, Herb and Betty continued their traveling for another six months and sailed from Los Angeles to New Zealand and flew from there to Australia, Africa, Rio in South America and then to Florida for a month before heading home to Canada. Another of Herb and Betty’s lengthy adventures took them to Hong Kong, China, Japanese Island and a cruise down the Panama. Herb later continued his travels with his second wife of 5 years, Muriel Mahood. One of Herb’s last cruises was with his daughter Jude, on a 32-day cruise from San Francisco, USA to Sydney Australia in the Fall of 2008.

Herb was a successful business man and a wonderfully loving, kind and caring husband and father and grandfather but he was also very involved in his community where he generously volunteered his time and expertise as a member on many Boards and Associations. Herb always appreciated the support that the City of Peterborough offered to local businesses and in turn, gave back to the people of Peterborough as he believed that you get out of a community what you put into it.

Herb loved life and often said that he was one of the luckiest people in the world. Herb passed away on August 29, 2012.

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From the Wenesday, September 5th edition of the Peterborough Eaminer:

"Business titan had wide community involvement"

Herb Hall’s children remember him as a funny man, a wise man, a friendly man and a smart man. They remember him as a community-focused business leader who cared about Peterborough. But mostly, they remember him out on the water, behind the wheel of a boat, zipping along the Kawartha Lakes with a big smile on his face.

“He had a passion for the water,” said daughter Deborah Haryett. “He truly enjoyed being on the water. It relaxed him. It was good for him.”

Agreed, said her brother, Jim Hall. “Memories? The water. He was always on the water.”

Mr. Hall died Aug. 29 at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. He was 83.

“He was the best,” said his other daughter, Judith Hall. “He was larger than life. He was the kind of guy who when he came into the room, he lit it up.”

That’s how Mayor Daryl Bennett remembers his longtime friend.

“He was always the first to have his hand out to say hello,” he said.

That love of people carried him through a varied business career and into community service, Haryett said.

“Dad was always interested in the people,” she said. “He really enjoyed talking to people.”

“He had a real sense of engagement,” Bennett added.

Mr. Hall was a true titan of business in Peterborough, but his impact went beyond his many companies and extended into the community.

Born in Galt in 1929, he grew up in Burlington and Hamilton. Mr. Hall left school with a Grade 9 education and worked a variety of jobs before becoming a sales representative for Regent Plywood, a lumber wholesaler. Along the way, he married Elizabeth Graham in 1950. The marriage lasted until her death in 2000.

The family moved to Peterborough in 1957 so Mr. Hall could become warehouse manager for Regent in the city. He later became a partner and vice-president of the Peterborough Lumber Co. Ltd., which was later sold to Cashway. At 44, Mr. Hall took on new challenges and purchased Jonas Brothers Fuel Oil, Perc Cooper’s Waste Oil and Jim Elmhurst’s water business, and the Hall Oil Co. was created.

He later bought Peterborough’s Beaver Lumber franchise while operating Hall Carriers, a new company. Other ventures included the C&T Tool and Dye Shop and Peterborough Warehousing, which is now run by his son, Jim, with Terry Olmstead.

Bennett said he first met Hall in the late 1970s, businessman to businessman. He remembers a smart man who was firm in his opinions and very serious about his work, while also being a bit of a character.

“It turned into a wonderful long-term friendship,” he said.

His community work is lengthy: Rotary (he started the local Easter Seals Telethon), president of the Sales and Ad Club, hospital board member, Memorial Centre director, Chamber of Commerce director, United Way chairman, board member at Five Counties Children’s Centre and Crime Stoppers, co-chairman of the Trent University Tomorrow Fund … the list goes on.

“Herb was a great community builder,” Bennett said. “For him, the sky was the limit.”

“He taught us not to be afraid to try new things,” Haryett said.

That included travel —– he and Elizabeth toured the world over the 50 years of their marriage. A few years ago, he and daughter Judith took a 30-day cruise from San Francisco to Sydney, Australia.

“That was wonderful, to spend that time with him,” she said. “One of my favourite memories.”

Mr. Hall is survived by his three children, four grandchildren Keefe, Jason, Courtnee and Brittnee and one great-grandchild, Maddison. He remarried in April 2001 to Muriel Mahood, who has since passed away.

A celebration of his life will be held Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club.

[email protected]

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From the Wednesday, September 5, 2012 edition of Peterborough This Week:

Captain Herb, A Remembrance

Peterborough This Week

People in Peterborough will remember Herb Hall as a successful local business person, a man who long served the Peterborough community, and a boating enthusiast. Everyone who knew Herb will recall a singing, whistling guy with a gusto for living.

From the time I was 12 and made friends with one of his three children, Jude, I was welcomed into the family. Herb’s

generosity, loud, ready laugh and propensity for endless teasing made him larger-than-life to a near teen.

Open heart and open door was Herb’s life policy.

“Do you want apple pie or cherry pie?” he would ask at the end of the family’s Sunday meal. One of us kids would shout out our preference. With a big guffaw, he would tell us that was nice -- too bad there wasn’t any pie!

Quick as he was to joke, Herb was fast to share his time, family and home. And once a friend of Herb’s, you knew the meaning of loyalty.

“I am lucky,” Herb said hundreds of times over the years.

He meant it. Herb’s big-hearted attitude was genuine. He was grateful for his beloved family, his many friends, his business successes, his pets; that he could travel and that he could share with others his passion for sailing. I remember the many summers at the Hall cottage on Chemong Lake. Herb and Betty’s waterfront place was like a free resort to family, friends and neighbours who could not resist the happy, fun, carefree times of waterskiing, rafting, barbequing, and campfires.

Herb was one of those self-made men whose success story is based on integrity, a natural intelligence, a hard work ethic and a positive attitude. He took calculated risks in business and they always turned out favourably. When the venture turned downward and his financial losses were grim enough to sink others less optimistic into despair, Herb would outstare adversity and laugh in its face as though it was a friend playing a prank.

He would outsmart the trickster – time and time again. Herb’s eyes and ears were always on alert to a new business opportunity and many times, as an adult, I heard younger business persons seek Herb’s wisdom for a venture they were considering.

In flash time, his laser sharp questioning and scenario building would turn the person’s wondering into knowing.

”Good people make you money but they can also lose you money. Find the right people to help and treat them fairly.”

This was Herb’s advice. True to his words, Herb is remembered for his fair treatment of others.

For all Herb took life seriously, he did not take himself seriously. His many life experiences such as driver of cabs and hearses, sailor and world traveller, would have made for terrific stories but Herb put others first. He made sure others were the centre of attention, others got the limelight.

The well-travelled Herb also said that he lived in the greatest country in the world and that Peterborough is one of the best places to live. Herb took his fun-loving attitude of playfulness into all aspects of his life. However, he knew life to be a precious gift. His responsibility to his family was a serious matter. So was sailing. It was fine for we kids to play and sunbathe on the yachts, but it was safety and duty first. Herb and wife Betty and children Debby, Jude and Jimmy logged many miles on their first yacht, a 38-foot cruiser (Herbet). Another of their cabin cruisers, the Saeawin, took Herb, Betty and friends from their Chemong Lake home to winter in Sarasota, Florida.

Herb charted many horizons, including a sail from Los Angeles to New Zealand. His most recent yacht, a 43-foot Carver named Ciao Bella II, proved Herb to be an accomplished sailor and adventurer. He also cruised the world on luxurious cruise lines, including the maiden voyage of the Queen Elizabeth II. In 2008, Herb and daughter Jude cruised for 32 days from San Francisco, USA to Sydney, Australia.

Captain Hall, in charge, lived a life that many would dream of. He knew abundance. He lived the life he imagined, true to himself as an honourable, fun-loving man. The waters he charted and the horizons he met are an example for all who aspire to a life well-lived.

Kally Krylly is a friend of the Hall family who lives in Calgary.

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Vernon Watt “Herb” Hall

Passed away peacefully at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 in his 84th year. Beloved husband of the late Elizabeth “Betty” Hall (nee-Graham) and the late Muriel Mahood. Cherished father of Deborah Haryett (James), Judith Hall and James Hall (Linda). Proud grandfather of Keefe Haryett, Courtnee (Erick) Martinez, Brittnee (Duane) Dunn, Jason (Mary-Beth) Hall and great-granddaughter Maddison. Dear brother of Ruth Robertson, the late Bud Hall and the late Marilyn McDowell-Hall. Herb will be remembered for his involvement as a prominent businessman in the City of Peterborough including Regent Pylwood, Peterborough Lumber, Beaver Lumber, Hall Oil Company, Hall Carriers, C&T Tool and Peterborough Warehousing.

Herb will also be remembered for his community involvement, including his participation in the Peterborough Rotary Club, Peterborough Sales and Advertisement Club, Board of Managers of Peterborough Civic Hospital, Peterborough and District Planning Council, Steering Committee of the Peterborough District Hospital Planning Council, Kawartha, Haliburton, PineRidge Health Council, St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Crime Stoppers, United Way of Peterborough and District, Chamber of Commerce, City of Peterborough Eastern Ontario Development Corporation, Greater Peterborough Economic Development Council, Lumber and Building Materials Association in Ontario, James Dunlop Masonic Lodges and the Kawartha Shrine Club. Herb had a love of life and traveled the world extensively more times than not, on a boat. Herb was often heard saying that he lived in the greatest country in the world and that Peterborough was one of the best places to live. Herb thought he was one of the luckiest people in the world and those that knew and loved Herb will say that they were lucky to have had Herb in their lives. A Celebration of Herb’s life will be held on Friday, September 7th, 2012 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club, 1030 Armour Road. Memorial Donations may be made to Five Counties Children’s Centre, Kawartha Shrine Club or P.R.H.C. Foundation (Hall Family). Online condolences may be made at www.comstockfuneralhome.com