March 15, 2024
As president of Landscape Ontario, Glenn accepts the association’s charter from Premier of Ontario Bill Davis (right).
Remembering Glenn Peister
Glenn Burton Peister, one of the founding members of Landscape Ontario and the association's first president, passed away on Jan. 28, 2024. He was 97.
A man larger than life, whose legacy is etched in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known him, Glenn had a razor-sharp memory, quick wit and an infectious sense of humour. Glenn endeared himself to family and friends alike. His zest for life and vigour never faded.
A true pioneer in the Canadian landscape industry, Glenn was the first president of the Ontario Landscape Contractors Association (OLCA). In 1967, he headed an OLCA committee requesting Humber College and other institutions offer horticulture tech courses. As OLCA president, he was heavily involved in the negotiations and debates to unite with the Ontario Garden Maintenance & Landscaping Association (OGMLA) and Ontario Nursery Trades Association (ONTA) to form a single association that would later become Landscape Ontario.
When LO was formed in 1973, Peister became the association’s first president and said, "This took years of effort by unselfish, far-sighted people who sought to improve and promote their chosen vocation." Peister also says he put 12,000 miles on his car during his year as LO president.
In his first column that appeared in Landscape Ontario magazine, Glenn wrote, “Landscape Ontario will develop, serve and prosper directly in proportion to the degree to which we collectively support it. We have a wealth of ingredients needed to make Landscape Ontario a vital force in the industry.”
Glenn later served as president of the Canadian Nursery Trades Association (now CNLA) in 1977-1978.
Glenn Peister holds the certificate of appreciation for his leadership as president.
On the industry side, Glenn founded McLean-Peister Limited in 1950 with headquarters on King Street East in Kitchener, Ont. Using his extensive knowledge, skills and creativity as a leader, contractor, landscape architect and influencer, Glenn developed an enviable landscape and general site contracting business operating throughout the province and beyond.
Glenn left his mark undertaking thousands of landscape projects, including prestigious sites such as the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Ontario Science Centre, Queen's Quay Park in Toronto and Expo '67 in Montreal. Glenn completed major landscape works on many of Ontario's universities including U of T, Wilfred Laurier, and University of Guelph.
He was fortunate to combine his love of golf with business, being involved in significant renovation projects at golf courses such as Lionhead, Barrie National Pines, Glenn Abbey and many others.
In October 2023, Glenn proudly celebrated his 97th birthday at the grand opening of McLean-Peister's newest venture, Kitchener Self Storage. Glenn's journey through life was nothing short of inspiring, and all bets were on for him to live for at least a century.
For more information on Glenn’s career, education and family life, visit HortTrades.com/glenn-peister.
A man larger than life, whose legacy is etched in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known him, Glenn had a razor-sharp memory, quick wit and an infectious sense of humour. Glenn endeared himself to family and friends alike. His zest for life and vigour never faded.
A true pioneer in the Canadian landscape industry, Glenn was the first president of the Ontario Landscape Contractors Association (OLCA). In 1967, he headed an OLCA committee requesting Humber College and other institutions offer horticulture tech courses. As OLCA president, he was heavily involved in the negotiations and debates to unite with the Ontario Garden Maintenance & Landscaping Association (OGMLA) and Ontario Nursery Trades Association (ONTA) to form a single association that would later become Landscape Ontario.
When LO was formed in 1973, Peister became the association’s first president and said, "This took years of effort by unselfish, far-sighted people who sought to improve and promote their chosen vocation." Peister also says he put 12,000 miles on his car during his year as LO president.
In his first column that appeared in Landscape Ontario magazine, Glenn wrote, “Landscape Ontario will develop, serve and prosper directly in proportion to the degree to which we collectively support it. We have a wealth of ingredients needed to make Landscape Ontario a vital force in the industry.”
Glenn later served as president of the Canadian Nursery Trades Association (now CNLA) in 1977-1978.
Glenn Peister holds the certificate of appreciation for his leadership as president.
On the industry side, Glenn founded McLean-Peister Limited in 1950 with headquarters on King Street East in Kitchener, Ont. Using his extensive knowledge, skills and creativity as a leader, contractor, landscape architect and influencer, Glenn developed an enviable landscape and general site contracting business operating throughout the province and beyond.
Glenn left his mark undertaking thousands of landscape projects, including prestigious sites such as the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Ontario Science Centre, Queen's Quay Park in Toronto and Expo '67 in Montreal. Glenn completed major landscape works on many of Ontario's universities including U of T, Wilfred Laurier, and University of Guelph.
He was fortunate to combine his love of golf with business, being involved in significant renovation projects at golf courses such as Lionhead, Barrie National Pines, Glenn Abbey and many others.
In October 2023, Glenn proudly celebrated his 97th birthday at the grand opening of McLean-Peister's newest venture, Kitchener Self Storage. Glenn's journey through life was nothing short of inspiring, and all bets were on for him to live for at least a century.
For more information on Glenn’s career, education and family life, visit HortTrades.com/glenn-peister.