Honorary degree citation - Peter M. McEntyre*

By: Donald W. McNaughton, June 1987

Mr. Chancellor, I have the honour to present to you Peter Michael McEntyre, distinguished industrialist and community leader, a man who has made remarkable contributions in both fields, not only through his impressive accomplishments, but also through his commitment, wisdom and kindness.

Educated at Bishop's College School and McGill University, Peter McEntyre finished first in the Chartered Accountancy examinations in the province of Quebec in 1941. He later became a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Prior to beginning his distinguished career, he served as a naval officer during World War II on His Majesty's Canadian Ships Burlington and Sioux.

Following his war service, Mr. McEntyre became a partner in the firm of Creak, Cushing and Hodgson where he had worked as a student some twelve years earlier. He was an officer and director of St. Lawrence Sugar Refineries for 22 years before assuming the presidency of Commercial Trust for 9 years and Comtrust Holdings for 4 years after that.

He was Chairman of the Board of Canada Cement Lafarge for 14 years, where he remains a director. Today, he is the President and a director of Ashburton Investments as well as a member of the boards of directors of numerous other companies.

A native of Westmount, he was an alderman on city council and the commissioner of finance before being elected mayor in 1969. Today, he is a trustee of the Westmount Library. He is also Chairman of the Boards of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada's Endowment Fund and Advisory Board as well as Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Montreal Neurological Hospital. Formerly, he served as Director of the Montreal Community Social Council and, I am pleased to say, a governor of Concordia University.

Today, Mr. Chancellor, we wish to honour Peter McEntyre for his outstanding contribution to the business world, his community and his country. We believe that his accomplishments and the spirit in which he has carried out his obligations are a model for our graduates, one that epitomizes the highest standards of professional acumen and dedication to the community.

Therefore, Mr. Chancellor, it is a privilege to present to you, on behalf of the Senate and by the authority of the Board of Governors, Peter McEntyre, so that you may confer on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

* deceased