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Bill Comrie
Bill Comrie
Bill Comrie
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William H. Comrie (born June 29, 1950) is a Canadian businessman.[1] He is the founder of The Brick, one of Canada's largest volume retailers of furniture, mattresses, appliances and home electronics.[2]

Key Information

Early life

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Comrie was born on June 29, 1950, in Winnipeg, Manitoba and grew up in Edmonton, Alberta.[3]

He played junior hockey with the Moose Jaw Canucks, a Chicago Blackhawks farm team, and later the Edmonton Oil Kings, but retired from hockey in 1968 to enter into the family furniture business following the death of his father Herb,[3] eventually turning down an invitation to a Blackhawks training camp.[2]

BC Lions Ownership

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From September 23, 1992 to March 11, 1996, Comrie was owner of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.[4] The Lions won the 1994 Grey Cup.

Personal life

[edit]

Comrie is the father of professional ice hockey players Mike, Paul, and Eric Comrie.[2][5] He has a grandson named Luca through Mike's former marriage to Hilary Duff.[6]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Bill Comrie

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William (Bill) Comrie (born June 29, 1950) is a Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former professional hockey prospect best known as the founder of Warehouse Corporation, which grew into Canada's largest furniture retailer. Born in , , he relocated to , , at age two and initially pursued a career in , signing a contract with the Chicago Black Hawks at 16 and playing junior for teams like the Moose Jaw Canucks and before retiring at 19 in 1968 following his father's sudden death. Comrie entered the family furniture business, launching Bill Comrie's Furniture Warehouse in 1971 with a modest budget sketched on a napkin, and rebranded it as The Brick in the early 1970s, pioneering warehouse-style retailing with low prices and no-frills showrooms. Under his leadership, the company expanded rapidly to over 160 stores across Canada, achieving annual sales exceeding $1.3 billion by 2004 and entering markets like Quebec; he sold it to Leon's Furniture Limited in 2012 for $700 million while retaining the Edmonton headquarters and brand identity. Comrie has also ventured into sports ownership, including the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League from 1992 to 1996 (during which they won the 1994 Grey Cup) and the San Diego Gulls ice hockey team from 1993 to 1995, and he became a minority owner of Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs in 2015. A prominent philanthropist, Comrie has supported major Edmonton institutions such as the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute and the Stollery , and through The Brick's initiatives like Sports Central, his company has donated over 11,000 pieces of sports equipment annually to underprivileged children since its inception. His contributions to business and community earned him the Officer of the in 2007 for his entrepreneurial innovation and benevolence, along with awards including the 2004 Canadian Home Furnishings Alliance Retailer of the Year, Venture Businessman of the Year, and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the . Married to Roxanne Comrie, he is the father of five children—including NHL players Mike, Paul, and —and resides primarily in Newport Coast, California.

Early life

Family background

Bill Comrie was born on June 29, 1950, in , , . His family relocated to , , when he was two years old, where he spent the remainder of his childhood. Comrie grew up in a working-class household centered around his father's small furniture store in Edmonton. His father, Herb Comrie, owned the modest 3,000-square-foot operation, instilling in the family strong values of hard work, , and dedication to . He has two brothers, John and Fred, and after his father's death, Comrie supported his mother and brothers while taking over the . Siblings played a role in familial support during this period, alongside practical life lessons derived from the store's daily operations. The sudden death of Herb Comrie on August 12, 1968, at age 54, profoundly disrupted the family and redirected Bill's trajectory at the age of 18. This tragedy compelled him to prioritize family responsibilities over personal pursuits, including forgoing formal higher education to help sustain the household. Comrie received his early through local schools in , reflecting the unpretentious nature of his upbringing.

Junior hockey career

At the age of 16, Bill Comrie signed a contract with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1966 and joined their junior affiliate, the Canucks, in the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League (CMJHL). During the 1966–67 season, he appeared in 21 games for the Canucks, recording 9 points. The following year, with the team now in the Western Canada Junior Hockey League (WCJHL), Comrie emerged as a key contributor, tallying 49 points (21 goals and 28 assists) in 53 games, which highlighted his offensive capabilities and potential as a professional prospect. In the 1967–68 season, following the folding of the Moose Jaw franchise, Comrie transferred to the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WCHL. He played 10 games for the Oil Kings during the 1968–69 season, accumulating 13 points (2 goals and 11 assists), before his career was cut short. Comrie had been invited to the Chicago Black Hawks' training camp, underscoring his promise within the organization. Comrie retired from hockey during the 1968–69 season at age 19, having turned down an invitation to the Black Hawks' training camp in 1969, to assume responsibilities in the family's furniture business in . This decision prioritized family support over his athletic ambitions.

Business career

Entry into the furniture industry

Following the sudden death of his father, Herb Comrie, in 1969, Bill Comrie, then 19 years old, left his promising junior hockey career as a prospect to join and take over the family's small furniture store in , . The store, operating as Alberta Factory Sales, was struggling financially when Comrie assumed control, prompting him to prioritize family support over pursuing professional hockey. With no prior formal or retail experience, he managed all aspects of the single-location operation through practical, on-the-job learning. During the late and early , Comrie gained essential hands-on expertise in sales techniques, , and , stabilizing the business via trial-and-error approaches and basic operational efficiencies. This period marked his initial immersion in the furniture retail sector before expanding into larger ventures.

Founding and growth of The Brick

In 1971, Bill Comrie, along with his brothers John and Fred, founded Warehouse LP in , , as a discount furniture outlet targeting value-conscious consumers. The initial store opened on September 1 of that year, capitalizing on Comrie's early experience in the family furniture business to offer affordable home furnishings in a straightforward . The company quickly distinguished itself by pioneering warehouse-style showrooms that emphasized large, open display spaces with minimal embellishments, paired with aggressive pricing strategies to undercut competitors. This approach facilitated rapid expansion within , with the first additional location opening in during the 1970s, followed by further outlets in key cities like and by the mid-decade, establishing a strong regional footprint. Under Comrie's leadership, experienced significant national growth, surpassing 100 stores across by the early 2000s through strategic acquisitions and organic development. The retailer diversified beyond furniture into complementary categories such as mattresses, appliances, and home electronics, broadening its appeal and revenue streams while maintaining a focus on volume sales. By 2004, the chain operated more than 165 locations, solidifying its position as Canada's largest furniture retailer. Key to the company's success were innovations like its no-frills sales model, which prioritized efficiency and customer accessibility over lavish presentations, and initiatives to share prosperity with employees, including a $40 million bonus distribution in 2004 averaging about 5% of annual salaries for its 5,700 staff as the firm transitioned to public markets via an income trust. These efforts enhanced employee morale in a competitive, high-turnover industry and contributed to . In recognition of this growth and prowess, was named one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies in 2002.

Sale of The Brick

In 2012, Bill Comrie facilitated the sale of The Brick to Leon's Furniture Ltd. in a friendly acquisition announced on November 11, valued at $700 million, aimed at bolstering the combined entity's position against intensifying competition from U.S. retailers such as IKEA and Walmart. The deal, which received strong support from Comrie as the company's founder and major shareholder, closed in early 2013 and preserved The Brick's operational identity while integrating certain supply chain and distribution functions with Leon's. Following the transaction, Comrie stepped away from active management of , enabling him to redirect his efforts toward , sports investments, and family pursuits without pursuing additional large-scale retail enterprises. The sale proceeds provided financial resources that supported these transitions, marking the end of his direct involvement in the furniture sector after over four decades of leadership. By 2025, continues to operate as a key under Leon's parent company, LFL Group Inc., maintaining more than 209 retail locations across (including sub-brands like The Brick Outlet and Mattress Store) and focusing on furniture, appliances, and mattresses as a distinct within the larger network. In January 2025, LFL Group opened a new corporate headquarters for The Brick in , , along with a distribution centre.

Sports ownership

BC Lions

Bill Comrie acquired the , a bankrupt franchise in the Canadian Football League (CFL), on September 23, 1992, purchasing the team directly from the league for an undisclosed amount. At the time of the acquisition, the Lions had just completed a dismal 3–15 season, their worst performance in years, and were struggling with critically low attendance, averaging approximately 25,000 fans per home game despite playing in the 60,000-seat capacity of Stadium. The previous owner, Murray Pezim, had filed for earlier that year, leaving the team in financial peril and at risk of relocation or dissolution. During his tenure as owner from 1992 to March 11, 1996, Comrie invested significantly in revitalizing the franchise, focusing on upgrades to team facilities, enhanced marketing efforts to boost local interest, and strategic player acquisitions to strengthen the roster. He hired new Dave Ritchie and a to overhaul operations, applying principles from his successful furniture retail empire to improve efficiency and fan engagement. These efforts paid off quickly, as the Lions posted an 11–7 record in 1993 and advanced to the , marking a turnaround from their prior struggles. By , under Comrie's leadership, the team achieved its first victory in franchise history, defeating the 26–23 in overtime at , which not only restored —despite absorbing over $7 million in losses across his ownership—but also reignited community support and attendance growth. Comrie's ownership is widely credited with preventing the Lions' potential relocation outside , stabilizing the team during a turbulent period for the CFL and paving the way for its continued presence in . In 1996, he sold the franchise to a local group led by Nelson Skalbania and Michael Jensen, fulfilling his goal of transitioning to community-based ownership after the success had restored the team's viability and appeal.

San Diego Gulls

In 1992, Comrie co-owned the of the International Hockey League (IHL) alongside his brothers Fred and John Comrie and Bill Hunter. He held a 40% stake in the franchise, which played until the 1994–95 season. Under their ownership, the Gulls reached the Turner Cup finals in 1993 but were swept 4–0 by the . The team relocated to Long Beach as the Ice Dogs after the 1995 season.

Chicago Cubs

In 2015, Bill Comrie became a limited partner and minority owner of the , Major League Baseball's storied franchise, joining a select group of investors that included Andrew Berlin, the DeVos family, and Cory Thabit. The investment was conducted discreetly, with the exact size of Comrie's non-controlling stake remaining undisclosed, reflecting his preference for a low-profile role in sports ownership following his earlier active involvement with the . Comrie's tenure as an owner coincided with one of the most triumphant periods in Cubs history, including their appearance in the —the team's first since 1945—and their subsequent victory, marking the franchise's first championship since 1908. Born in 1950, Comrie, then 66, attended the series and later described the experience as a "dream come true," highlighting the personal significance of witnessing the long-awaited success after decades of fandom. As of 2025, Comrie continues to hold his minority ownership stake in the Cubs, maintaining a passive yet enthusiastic involvement as a fan-owner.

Philanthropy and awards

Key philanthropic initiatives

In 2014, Bill Comrie founded Comrie's Sports Equipment Bank, also known as the , to address financial barriers preventing underprivileged children in from participating in sports. The organization collects, refurbishes, and distributes free gently used equipment, partnering with groups like KidSport Calgary and Hockey Calgary. By its 10th anniversary in 2024, the bank had provided gear to over 26,946 youth, enabling broader access to hockey, soccer, and other activities. Through , Comrie established the Sports Central program, which provides over 11,000 pieces of sports equipment each year to , fostering participation in athletics. Comrie chaired the capital campaign for the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, raising over $10 million to enhance pediatric services in . He also served as chair for the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute campaign, contributing to the development of advanced cardiac care facilities in . Comrie's commitment to education and athletics is exemplified by his 2015 donation of $1.5 million to in , which established the Bill Comrie Hockey Scholarships for the men's and women's Griffins teams. This endowment funds 12 annual awards of $5,000 each, starting in 2017, to support student-athletes pursuing post-secondary education while competing in hockey. The initiative reflects Comrie's personal passion for the sport, stemming from his own junior career. Following the 2012 sale of , Comrie intensified his support for local causes in and , including youth sports programs and community services such as full-day kindergarten at Beacon Heights School, to which he and his family contributed $500,000 over five years starting in 2014. These efforts, encompassing equipment provision, scholarships, and other aid, have totaled millions in donations. As Vice-Chair of the Foundation, Comrie has played a key role in national initiatives like the Assist Fund, launched in 2020 to subsidize hockey registration fees for children from low-income and diverse backgrounds. The fund has assisted over 10,000 players, with associated events raising over $200,000 in spring 2025 to expand its reach.

Recognitions and honors

Bill Comrie has received numerous accolades recognizing his contributions to business innovation, retail leadership, and throughout his career. In 1993, he was inducted into the of & Business Hall of Fame for his entrepreneurial achievements. The following year, in 1994, Comrie was awarded the Henry Singer Award for excellence in retailing in , honoring his transformative impact on the furniture industry. In 2003, he was named Businessperson of the Year by the Consumers' Choice Award, acknowledging his success in building a customer-focused retail empire. This recognition was followed in 2004 by being named Retailer of the Year by the Canadian Home Furnishings Alliance, celebrating his strategic growth of into a national powerhouse. Comrie's broader societal impact was formally acknowledged in 2007 when he was appointed an Officer of the , one of the country's highest civilian honors, for his entrepreneurial skills and benevolence, including extensive charitable efforts. In 2004, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the in recognition of his outstanding contributions to business and philanthropy. In 2008, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Retail Council of Canada. These awards underscore how his philanthropic work has served as a foundation for many of his honors. As of recent years, Comrie continues to be honored locally for his ongoing community involvement.

Personal life

Marriages and children

Bill Comrie married his first wife, Theresa Comrie, in 1971, and their marriage lasted 19 years until her death from cancer in 1990. With Theresa, Comrie had three children: sons Mike (born 1980) and Paul (born 1977), both of whom pursued professional hockey careers in the National Hockey League (NHL), and daughter Cathy, who has maintained a lower public profile. In 1994, Comrie remarried Roxanne Huisman, with whom he has remained married as of 2025; the couple has two sons, Eric (born 1995) and Ty (born 1997). has also established a career as an NHL , continuing the family's strong ties to professional hockey that echo Bill Comrie's own background as a junior hockey player in . Ty has participated in competitive hockey at lower levels but has not reached the NHL. Comrie is a grandfather to several grandchildren, including Luca Cruz Comrie (born March 20, 2012), the son of and his ex-wife, actress ; this connection highlights the family's ongoing legacy in and . The Comrie children and grandchildren have largely pursued paths independent of their father's business success, with the sons notably extending the family's hockey tradition across generations.

Residences and later years

Following the 2012 sale of to Furniture for $700 million, Bill Comrie transitioned to a more private life centered on family, travel, and selective investments, eschewing major new business ventures. He acquired a minority stake in the Cubs in 2015 alongside real estate executive Cory Thabit, contributing to the team's $375 million [Wrigley Field](/page/Wrigley Field) renovation project, which included new rooftops and a planned Cubs Hotel. This ownership allowed him to indulge his lifelong passion for while maintaining a low profile in other endeavors, such as occasional acquisitions. Comrie's primary residence remains in , , where he retains strong personal and community ties, though he spends the majority of his time at a luxurious mansion in Newport Coast, California, a gated coastal community featuring amenities like a full-size roller-hockey rink, putting green, and home gym adorned with hockey memorabilia. This California property, overlooking the , reflects his post-retirement lifestyle of relaxation and proximity to family activities, including travel to support his sons' hockey pursuits in the . While his Cubs involvement has occasionally drawn him to , no permanent U.S. residences beyond California are documented. As of November 2025, at age 75, Comrie continues to engage actively in , notably through the Comrie's Sports Equipment Bank, which annually distributes thousands of pieces of equipment to underprivileged youth in , and supports initiatives like the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute. Comrie's legacy endures as a self-made entrepreneur who transformed a small family store into a national retail powerhouse, while exemplifying a balance of , generous community contributions, and nurturing a family tradition in .

References

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  4. https://edmontonsun.com/2016/10/24/edmontons-bill-comrie-holder-of-several-championship-rings-off-to-world-series-as-part-owner-of-chicago-cubs
  5. https://www.canada.ca/en/news/archive/2007/02/governor-general-invest-37-recipients-order-canada.html
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  8. https://theahl.com/news/ahlotb-best-friends-through-and-through
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  10. https://www.geni.com/people/Michael-Comrie/6000000009542894708
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  32. https://edmontonsun.com/2015/10/16/brick-furniture-chain-founder-bill-comrie-making-most-of-minority-ownership-of-nlcs-cubs
  33. https://www.enemybelow.ca/Three-Down-Football.pdf
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  39. https://www.flamessportsbank.ca/about-us
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  42. https://www.macewangriffins.ca/sports/mice/2017-18/releases/20171020kbeuay
  43. https://globalnews.ca/news/1119215/comrie-family-donation-makes-full-day-kindergarten-possible/
  44. https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/5-years-of-the-assist-fund-2025-hockey-canada-foundation
  45. https://omeka.library.ualberta.ca/exhibits/show/honorary/2004-1
  46. https://www.strictlyweddings.com/info/notable-marriages/bill-comrie-463974
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  49. https://carubberhockey.com/newport-beachs-comrie-making-his-mark-in-ahl/
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