Walter Hachborn

Walter Hachborn, (July 24, 1921 – December 16, 2016) was a Canadian businessman and co-founder, with two others, of Home Hardware, a Canadian home improvement and construction retailer which supplies contractors and consumers.

He started working in the hardware industry in 1938 and created Home Hardware in 1964 with two partners, Henry Sittler and Arthur Zilliax.

Early life On July 24, 1921, he was born in Conestogo, Ontario. He co-owned the store by 1950, along with Henry Sittler and Arthur Zilliax.

In 1956, he read an article in Hardware Age titled "case for the dealer-owned wholesaler," and was inspired to start planning for a dealer-owned Canadian hardware organization.

In 2007, he was still president of Home Hardware, with Paul Straus CEO.

He was still president emeritus upon his death at the age of 95. In his later years, he was also involved in construction operations in the Cayman Islands, while maintaining his residence in St. Jacobs. In 1988, the Retail Council of Canada recognized Hachborn's success at Home Hardware. In recognition of this accomplishment he was presented with the Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Award.

Personal life and death He and his wife Jean had three children: Susan, Elizabeth, and Bill. Jean Hachborn died in 2014, while Charles died in St. Jacobs