Canada’s heavy equipment community has lost an industry pioneer.
John Irving Stevenson, the founder of the Toronto-based Stevenson Equipment, passed away on June 22, surrounded by his family. He was 79 years old.
A Celebration of Life was held For Stevenson on July 22 at Harding Waterfront Estate in Mississauga.
“He was a good guy, and family meant a lot to John. He was very close with his two children and his wife,” said Tom Stevenson, his nephew and President of Hub Equipment. “And he was a wonderful uncle to my sister and I.”
Born in Port Arthur, Stevenson grew up in Moncton and Grande Digue, New Brunswick, before moving to Toronto in 1971. He began his career in construction equipment at Hub Equipment, working with his brother and mentor Verne Stevenson.
“They were quite a pair. They were a very good team,” Tom Stevenson said.
“John was very charismatic and gregarious and a real closer. Verne was more cerebral and more structured, more disciplined, but the two of them really made a formidable team.”
After learning the business at Hub Equipment, Stevenson branched out to establish Stevenson Equipment.
The company would grow to specialize in crushing and concrete equipment and become Ontario’s first dealer of Vince Hagen equipment and Stephens Ready Mix plants.
Stevenson also became a pioneer in the grey market, or parallel importing, a practice that can provide consumers with access to branded products at lower prices.
“He was very well liked and well known in the industry,” Tom Stevenson said. “As an independent dealer, he bought and sold new and used equipment all over the world wherever he could find it.”
While the business allowed Stevenson the opportunity to travel the world, he would also return to his Grande Digue cottage. When passing the local Irving gas station, he would tell his passengers “I was born there, that’s why my middle name is Irving,” a fib many believed to be true to this day.
Outside of the equipment industry, Stevenson served on the Board of Governors of Rothesay Netherwood School, The Country Day School as well as the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
He will be missed by his wife of 52 years, Peggy; his daughter, Melissa DaCosta (spouse Dan, children Maxx and Jaxson); his son, John Thomas (spouse Christina); his brother, Bob; his sister, Kate Wilson; as well as his nephews, nieces and friends.
A Coming Home will be held for Stevenson at Rothesay Netherwood School on August 30. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Rothesay Netherwood School (www.rns.cc/donate) or The Krembil Institute of Neuroscience (UHNfoundation.ca/tribute)