We are truly saddened to report that Don Blythe passed away on the evening of January 5th, 2017. Don was a former executive director of Western Canada Tire Dealers and an unswerving supporter and industry stalwart for many decades. The association extends its heartfelt condolences to his wife, Laura, and to the family.
Don was deeply respected across North America by many in the tire business and regarded as ‘a fixture’ in the Canadian tire industry.
Don had over 60 years of experience in the industry, much of it as the former Executive Director of the Western Canada Tire Dealers. He began his career with Goodyear in 1957; over the next 15 years, he held various operating and sales positions. In 1972, he moved to OK Tire, and took the position of Tire General Manager. He opened his own OK Tire franchise (in Burnaby, BC) in 1978, and in 1980, he was elected to the OK Tire Board of Directors.
Don returned to the OK Tire home office as Managing Director in 1982, and a year later, he was named President. Also in 1982, he was elected to the Board of the Western Canadian Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association, now WCTD.
He served as the association’s President from 1995 – 1997, and he was the Executive Director from 2003 until he retired in 2009. Don was a leader in scrap tire recycling within Canada, and was instrumental in starting several scrap tire programs, primarily in British Columbia.
Don Blythe was named to the Western Canada Tire Dealers Hall of Fame in 2008; and named to the Tire Industry Association (TIA) Hall of Fame in 2010.
A full tribute and obituary will follow soon. RIP, Don.
