John Maynard Greer (1893 - 1973)

Business Pioneer dies at 79

John Maynard Greer, director of Greer Furniture Ltd. and a Hamilton businessman for almost 60 years, died yesterday at Joseph Brant Hospital, Burlington, after a lengthy illness. He was 73. Born near Portadown northern Ireland, John Greer emigrated to Canada in 1912. he returned to Ireland a year later to bring his parents to Hamilton. In 1914, he and his Father opened a furniture store on James street north near Christ's Church Cathedral. Two years later he bought a large dance hall at Barton and Hughson streets and moved the business to 29 Barton East, where it has operated ever since. With his son, Kenneth he established Westdale Furniture on King Street West in 1943. for the past 20 years, John Greer lived in Longacres district of Burlington. He and his wife, the former Agnes Walsh celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1970. He was a founding trustee of Aldershot Presbyterian Church and a past-president of the Irish Protestant Benevolent Society. Besides his wife, Mr. Greer leaves two sons, tow daughters and a sister, Mrs. Edie Fisher. Funeral service will be held at Aldershot Presbyterian Church on Monday at 2 p.m.