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- MICHAEL JOSEPH PRENDIVILLE Peacefully, on October 1, 2000, Michael Joseph Prendiville passed away. "Joe" was born in 1925 in Castleisland, County Kerry, Ireland. He came to Canada in 1948 and settled in Flin Flon, Manitoba. His Irish bride, Josie, joined him in 1950 and they made a life for themselves and their family in Canada. Joe was a pioneer in the development of Northern Manitoba. He was the founder of Prendiville Industries which includes Ryan Forest Products in Winnipeg, Norwest Manufacturing and Norwest Do-it Centre in Thompson, Prairie Forest Products in Neepawa and Birch River, and Kenora Forest Products in Ontario. In 1965, Joe and his family moved to Winnipeg. He was an active member in the Knights of Columbus (4th degree), and he was one of the founders of the Irish Club of Manitoba. As an "Irish Tenor", Joe performed at many community events. Joe will be remembered for his many Irish songs and stories. In December 1973, Joe suffered from a stroke. He showed courage and determination for 27 years as he struggled with his disabilities. Joe was a dedicated member of St. John Brebeuf Parish. His strong faith carried him through the bad times and good. Through those years, there were many people who gave special care to Joe. The family would like to acknowledge Joe Hunt and more recently John Hunter who helped Joe through his difficult times. They were truly dedicated to his welfare and care. Joe was predeceased by his wife Josie in 1992 and his sisters, Peggy and Maureen. Left to celebrate his life are Maureen and Paul (Jensen), Ailbe and Lily, Lawrence and Ann, and Muriel. Joe was very proud of his eight grandchildren, Andrew, Kevin, Kathleen, Tommy, Sarah, Karlen, Jacklyn and Michelle. He is also survived by his sisters and brothers, Betty, Kathleen, Eileen, Willy and Lawrence, and his many nephews, nieces and in-laws. Prayers were said for Joe on Wednesday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m. at St. John Brebeuf Church, 1707 John Brebeuf. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, October 5 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Brebeuf Church, 1707 John Brebeuf. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Joe to The Heart and Stroke Foundation, 301-352 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2H8. "An Irish Blessing" May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be at your back May the sun shine upon your face The rains fall soft upon your fields And, until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. NEIL BARDAL INC 949-2200
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 07, 2000
- Court documents listed by Ernst & Young show Prendiville Industries -- who operate Kenora Forest Products -- has filed for bankruptcy. The list of creditors filed with the court is 14 pages long, and it shows the company owes a total of $28.7 million.
The filing was initially made Dec. 5 in Winnipeg, and the list of creditors includes:
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) - $13.7 million
FedNor - $3 million
Northern Ontario Heritage Foundation Corporation (NOHFC) - $2.5 million
Province of Ontario - $1.8 million
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) - $1.5 million
Miitigoog $349,273
Lawrence Derouard Trucking - $112,013
Documents filed with the court also include security for CIBC loans valued at more than $32 million, with the bank holding a mortgage on the sawmill property worth about $16 million. The bank moved to secure their loans in the first week of December. By then, the company owed the bank closer to $14 million, but CIBC still agreed to loan up to another $1 million, in order to see the company through to a potential sale in mid-February.
The BDC issued a letter last month, saying the company had also defaulted on loans worth about $1.5 million.
Potential buyers have until Feb. 14 to tender an offer, with the sale to close in April.
Between the end of October and mid-February, the company estimates it will have cash receipts of more than $6.5 million, cash disbursements of $4.5 million for a difference of about $2 million.
Kenora Forest Products announced they were laying off their staff of more than 100 in September. The sawmill had been doing well -- adding shifts to reach full production last November -- until the impact of American tariffs on softwood lumber could no longer be ignored. The company has about $9 million tied up in tariffs, impacting their bottom line.
Prendiville Industries invested heavily in the sawmill, bringing it back into production in 2015, said company president Maureen Prendiville in her affidavit to the court. She said about $22 million was invested in refurbishments of Kenora Forest Products, with another $4 million added, after a kiln fire in December 2017. Despite high lumber prices at the time, the company wasn't able to take full advantage, due to the fire, she noted.
Prendiville Industries had about 145 staff, when it filed for bankruptcy, including the sawmill operations and its headquarters in Winnipeg. Through the bankruptcy proceedings, the layoffs would become permanent. Prendiville said the company was current with its pension and benefit obligations to workers.
The obituary for Joe Prendiville said he started the company with a sawmill in 1951, after he had emigrated from Ireland to Manitoba. The company has also operated:
Prairie Forest Products in Neepawa, where it produced pressure-treated lumber, was sold in 2018
Norwest Manufacturing in Thompson, where it produced items for the mining industry, closed earlier in 2019
Ryan Forest Products in Winnipeg, where it produced lattice fence panels, which ceased operations in 2014
According to her affidavit, Maureen Prendiville said she served as the company's president, with her brothers Ailbe Prendiville and Lawrence Prendiville serving as vice-presidents.
Maureen Prendiville expects the sale of assets to bring in enough money to cover their debts. She added the sale of the sawmill assets, or fresh investment in Prendiville Industries, will:
permit operations at the sawmill to be restarted by a new owner, bringing significant employment and other benefits to the local and area economies,
the re-establishment of a key customer for area loggers and
the continuation of important forest resource management initiatives.
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1925 - 2000 (75 years)