Peter Polan never passed up a chance to hunt and fish, particularly if it meant spending time with his son, Sean.
That was especially true during one outing back in 1996. After a 10-hour drive north from Montreal and a 30-minute flight, father and son built themselves a camp. It’s a trip Sean, co-owner of Sothil, remembers fondly.
“My dad was a very strict, but fair man and father,” Sean says. “He was not the kind that would tell you ‘I love you,’ but you just knew he did.”
Following a battle with cancer, Peter died at home Dec. 14 surrounded by his family. He was 82 years old.
A long-standing figure in the Canadian jewellery and watch industry, Peter began his career in the 1970s as a sales manager for Lido Jewellery. By 1979, he started his own company, P.M.P Sales Agency, picking up lines in the office supply and jewellery trades, such as Hutchings & Patrick, Cross Writing Instruments, Majorica Pearls, and Chronometric Co., distributor of TAG Heuer watches.
In 1985, Sean joined his father as a sales representative until TAG Heuer took back its Canadian distribution 14 years later. Sean and his father both joined TAG, although the elder Polan retired a couple of years later.
Peter’s devotion to the jewellery and watch industry was quite strong, having led the Canadian Jewellery Travellers Association as its president. He also worked closely with the Quebec Jewellers’ Corp. (QJC) and Canadian Jewellers Association (CJA), helping to build the Montreal and Toronto jewellery trade shows at a time when JCK Las Vegas held less prominence.
Don Sage of Bridon Sales Agency remembers Peter as “a consummate professional.” The two worked together 30 years ago at Hasting Gold & Silver Chains, when Don was Peter’s sales manager.
“He dressed appropriately, spoke appropriately,” says Sage. “The customers like him and he was a wonderful person to work with. He exuded professionalism. You never heard him say a bad word about anybody and nobody ever said a bad word about him.”
To Sean and his brothers, Francis and Patrick, Peter was a role model who taught them to be independent, well behaved, polite, and hard working.
“It was important for him that we would go to school for as long as possible,” Sean recalls. “And if we did, he would provide everything for us.” While his brothers took the academic route, Sean went to Winnipeg to work for a company his father represented. He later joined him at P.M.P., working by his side.
“Even though I was the only one that followed in his footsteps, he was very proud of all of us,” Sean says.
Although cancer had taken its toll, Peter always found the strength to speak with Sean, asking about his business and keen to hear of any developments in the industry.
“I believe first and foremost that he was worried and wanted my success, but it was also the only connection left to the trade that he loved so, so much,” Sean says. “I have learned a great deal from my dad.”
Peter is survived by his wife, Helene, his children, Francis, Patrick, and Sean, and grandchildren.
The family will receive condolences at Complexe Funeraire Demers, 51 Boulevard Laurier in McMasterville, Que., on Dec. 18 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 10 a.m. A liturgy will follow at noon in the salon.
