Bob Blair: final owner of Blue Mountain Pottery
Posted By SHAWN GIILCK
Posted 7 months ago
The last president and owner of the famous Blue Mountain Pottery has died.
Robert (Bob) Blair died June 13 at the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital.
H e was 81.
"He dedicated many years to Blue Mountain Pottery as president and then owner. He enjoyed his farm 'Hiberkild', where he raised his beloved Black Angus cattle," his funeral announcement read.
Mr. Blair, at one time an employee of International Silver, came to Collingwood in 1971 to work at the pottery plant as general manager.
He became a part-owner in 1980, and took over its operations as owner in 1986.
When Blue Mountain Pottery closed, Mr. Blair blamed increased pottery manufacturing competition from Asia and shrinking demand for product in the U. S. -- which accounted for 46 per cent of BMP's total exports -- for the company's demise.
He also pointed to unstable tourism markets in the wake of SARS and the Iraq war as a key factor in the decision.
Mr. Blair said BMP felt the effects of those drop-offs.
Former Collingwood Mayor Ron Emo said Mr. Blair was a "good corporate citizen." Most people were unaware of the international scope of Blue Mountain Pottery's business during its peak, said Emo.
George Wieder called Mr. Blair a "wonderful businessman who played an important role in the history of Blue Mountain Pottery."
"He worked very hard," said Weider.
Jozo Weider, George's father, founded the pottery while he was building Blue Mountain Resort.
Mr. Blair was predeceased by his wife Marion. He is survived by Lynda and her husband Jim McCall of Arkansas, and by his grandchildren Colleen Kennedy and Carey Herold.
He was the great-grandfather of Lewis Thomas and Lauren and Kaitlyn Pope.
He is also survived by his sister Mary and her husband Willard Keith and brother-in-law of Ed Foden and his wife Sarah.
Mr. Blair's funeral service was held in Stayner on Wednesday. He was to be buried at Ebenezer Cemetery.
