Linamar founder Frank Hasenfraz passes away at 86 years old
by CM Staff
The company stated that Hasenfratz joins his late wife, Margaret Hasenfratz, and leaves behind his daughter Linda and son-in-law Ed and their four children, as well as daughter Nancy and son-in-law Mark.
GUELPH — Linamar Corporation has announced the passing of the company’s founder, and long-time Executive Chairman, Frank Hasenfratz.
According to a statement from Linamar, Mr. Hasenfratz passed away peacefully on January 8, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family after a battle with cancer. He was 86 years old.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of my father, Frank Hasenfratz,” said Linamar CEO Linda Hasenfratz in a statement.
“It was his vision and unrelenting drive that enabled us to build the company that Linamar is today. He leaves a tremendous legacy on the Canadian business landscape, changed the lives of so many, and provided careers, livelihoods and opportunities for thousands of people. He inspired and taught so many, myself most profoundly, and his spirit will live on in each of us as we continue to build the legacy of Linamar.”
Hasenfratz was born in Hungary in 1935 and immigrated to Canada in 1957 following the Hungarian Revolution.
A company statement detailed Hasenfratz’s journey to building Linamar, describing how he launched his business from the basement of his parent’s home in Guelph, Ont. back in 1966.
Hasenfratz was honoured as the Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year, inducted into the Canadian Manufacturing Hall of Fame and the Canadian Business Hall of Fame, and was appointed to the Order of Canada.
Linamar also stated that Frank was a generous supporter of the greater Guelph community that helped grow his company and donated to numerous philanthropic causes including the Guelph General Hospital, Western University, St. Joseph’s Foundation and of the local performance arts.
Linamar’s Board of Directors has announced that it has a succession and renewal plan in place which it will implement in the coming weeks and will announce to shareholders and the public in due course.
“At Linamar, we will continue to live by Frank’s words to strive to continuously improve, act quickly and decisively, set goals and track progress and always ‘Do What We Do Best, Better,’ read a company statement.
The company said it will post funeral arrangements in the coming days.
