The man whose name appears on multiple schools, hospitals and public buildings in and around Hamilton has died.
The family of Michael George DeGroote says the philanthropist died Monday nearly one month after his 89th birthday.
DeGroote is survived by his four children, 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was born on Aug. 13, 1933 in Flanders, Belgium, and immigrated to Canada at the age of 14 after World War II in 1948.
He worked on a tobacco farm in Norfolk County before buying his first truck to haul fertilizer to farmers and transport uranium.
In 1959, DeGroote purchased Laidlaw Transport, a small Canadian trucking operation. During the next 31 years, it became one of the fastest growing companies at the time. Laidlaw also became North America’s largest school bus operator.
When DeGroote sold Laidlaw in 1988, he became one of Canada’s youngest billionaires.
He gave generously to McMaster University and Hillfield Strathallan College, and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.
A private family funeral service and celebration of life will be held in his hometown of Langton, Ont.
