LUSELAND — Oct. 18 was a splendid day for a surprise visit from former Luseland resident, Jimmy Pattison.
As part of Pattison’s tours of Pattison Agriculture dealerships, the famed businessman is always known to make time when he is in the area to check on his former hometown. He says he likes to familiarize himself with the current goings-on and the needs of the community.
There are no signs of slowing down in the 94-year-old.
Pattison started out with roots in Luseland moving when his parents relocated to Vancouver but returning to the prairies for summer jobs once he was a teen. From there he began his career as a car salesman and is now CEO, chair and sole owner of the Jim Pattison Group, Canada’s largest privately held company. He is also the owner of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Guinness World Records, Save-On-Foods, Quality Foods, real estate developments and many radio and television stations across western provinces.
Pattison was awarded Saskatchewan’s Distinguished Service Award by the Saskatchewan government in 2022. Jim Pattison recognized Sask.'s Distinguished service - SaskToday.ca. The children’s hospital in Saskatoon is also named in his honour, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, thanks to his donation of $50 million.
Pattison has returned to Luseland a number of times including a visit for their Canada 150 celebrations. He also loaned the famous Marilyn Monroe dress to the committee in Luseland working towards a new swimming pool and used the dress as a drawing card for a big fundraiser they were holding.
One Luseland resident commented on the mayor's post about Pattison's visit, stating, "Grateful for his care and concern for his roots."
