Obituary - Don Pennycook

Donald Brian Pennycook, beloved husband, brother, uncle and friend of many, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025 in Quebec with complications from PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy).  Don was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta on November 7, 1948 and grew up in Ralston, Alberta with his parents William (Bill) Pennycook and Edna Pennycook (nee Walker) and his sisters Lorraine and Dianne until he entered grade 10 when he moved to Medicine Hat.  Following high school, Don went to the University of Calgary where he earned his BA.  At U of C Don joined the Zeta Psi, Chi Gamma chapter and made lifelong friends with many of his fraternity brothers.

Following university, Don did some traveling in Europe which no doubt triggered his love of travel before starting to work at the Bay in Calgary.  He was recruited from the men’s wear department there to move to Montreal to work with Dales, known for their high end sweaters.  Don remained in the fashion business for the rest of his career in Montreal and Toronto managing the Chaps Ralph Lauren line in Canada and then as President of Warnaco Canada, running their business in Canada and Latin America including Chaps, Calvin Klein, Speedo and various swimwear, underwear and intimate apparel lines until he retired.

Don is survived by his wife Carol (Pennycook), sister Lorraine Olson (Len) and nephews Aaron Oland, Jay Oland (Sheila Fedrock), Jared Olson (Natalie Trainor) and Mark Lundquist (Carrie) and his great nieces Mia and Meika Oland and Michaela, Rayleen and Jorja Lundquist and his brother-in-law Curt Lundquist. He was predeceased by his sister Dianne. 

Don loved life. He always said that “life is not a dress rehearsal” and he lived his to the fullest.  He was a mentor to many people not only throughout his career, but continuing long after he retired.  He could be a very demanding boss, but also quick to praise someone for a job well done.  He was a fierce supporter of his team and dedicated to help individuals grow and develop their skills to achieve their potential.  Don was also very honored and proud to be an Honorary Lieutenant-Coronel of The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa. He loved his friends as well as his family and always enjoyed a party – especially if the party was all about him.  Don believed in a birthday month – not simply a day!  Don loved to travel, especially if the travel also involved polo, and enjoyed food and wine from extravagant restaurant dinners to dinners at home and at friends, barbeques at the pool and Argentine asados – always accompanied by good wine and a pre-dinner Grey Goose and an after dinner cigar.  He enjoyed playing poker with his buddies and “gin rummy with a twist” with anyone who was prepared to lose a bit of money. He loved his faithful companion Maddie, the only dog ever to be allowed in his Jaguar, as well as his tractor and ATV.

Don was passionate about many things, especially horses and polo.  He taught his wife Carol to ride and play (but not before first teaching her how to muck out stalls to his exacting standards) and share his love of horses.  Don established Club Polo Nacional to encourage the growth of polo in the Montreal/Ottawa area, he was the President of Polo Canada and an Ambassador of the Federation of International Polo for many years.  Don played polo in various parts of Canada, the USA, Australia, South Africa, Ghana, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Argentina, Chile, England, Ireland and France.  He loved the horses, the sport and team work and camaraderie on the polo field.  Don and Carol organized polo events at their farm to raise funds for the Cedars Breast Cancer program and for the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (arrythmia research by Dr. Vijay Chauhan) and the Montreal Heart Institute for many years. 

Please join us for a Celebration of Don’s life to be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025 on the polo fields at Don’s farm 765 chemin Park, Ste-Marthe, Quebec.  There will be a polo match at noon followed by a Celebration from 1 until 4 pm.  Don and Carol request that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Polo Canada – www.polocanada.ca/donations -  in Don’s memory.

“From Canada and Champion of the World” – we will miss you Don.