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George L. McMahon

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Canadian business and sports executive (1904–1978)

George L. McMahon
BornGeorge Levy McMahon
(1904-06-18)June 18, 1904
Moyie, British Columbia
DiedJuly 11, 1974(1974-07-11) (aged 70)
Calgary, Alberta
Other namesMr. Football
Alma mater
Occupation
Spouses
  • Helen Galbraith ​ ​(m. 1937; div. 1945)​
  • Katherine Latimer Staples ​ ​(m. 1946)​
Children6

George Levy McMahon (June 18, 1904 – July 11, 1978) was a Canadian oil executive who was president of Pacific Petroleums from 1952 to 1961. He also served as president of the Calgary Stampeders and along with his brother, Frank McMahon, provided funding for the construction of McMahon Stadium.

Early life

McMahon was born on June 18, 1904, to Francis J. and Stella (Soper) McMahon. He grew up in Moyie, British Columbia, and Spokane, Washington, and attended Gonzaga University and Whitworth College. In 1924, he earned a degree in business administration from the latter institution.

From 1924 to 1926, McMahon worked in the metal department of the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company in Kimberley, British Columbia. He then worked for Pemberton and Son, a stock and bond brokerage based in Vancouver.

Business

McMahon's success as a broker provided much of the money he and his brother needed to start their own oil well drilling business. They entered the oil business in 1930 and in 1939, founded Pacific Petroleum. In 1948, they drilled one of Alberta's first oil wells, Leduc No. 3. They were also among the first to develop the Turner Valley oil fields. In 1949, they started the Westcoast Transmission Company, which constructed the $200-million Westcoast Pipeline. McMahon served as president of Pacific Petroleum from 1952 to 1961. He then served as Pacific's vice chairman until his retirement.

In 1963, McMahon began construction on the Calgary Inn, a 12-story, 319-room hotel. He served as president of Calgary Inn Ltd. until 1968 and the hotel is now the Westin Hotel Calgary.

McMahon also served as a director of the National Trust Company, Phillips Petroleum Company, Canadian Atlantic Oil, Peace River Natural Gas Company, Charter Oil Company, and New Gas Exploration Company of Alberta.

Calgary Stampeders

A longtime director of the Calgary Stampeders, McMahon was elected president of the team in December 1959. Under his leadership, the Stampeders went from a deficit of $2,066 in 1959 to surplus of $233,666 in 1967. In 1960, George and Frank McMahon put up the initial $300,000 towards the construction of a new football stadium in Calgary, which was named in their honor. McMahon stepped down in 1968 due to ill health and was replaced by Pat Mahoney.

Personal life

McMahon was a member of the Canadian Scottish Regiment and served in the 2nd Reserve Battalion of the British Columbia Regiment during World War II. In 1955, he was made an honorary colonel of the South Alberta Light Horse.

McMahon's first marriage ended in divorce in 1945. On March 21, 1946, he married Katherine Latimer Staples. They had three sons and three daughters.

In 1967, illness forced McMahon to live most of the year in The Bahamas. He died on July 11, 1978, at Calgary General Hospital.

References

  1. ^ "George L. McMahon dies at 74". The Calgary Herald. July 12, 1978. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  2. ^ Who's who in Commerce and Industry, Volume 14. Marquis Who's Who. 1965. p. 883. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  3. ^ "G. L. McMahon Made Honorary Colonel". The Calgary Herald. November 3, 1955. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  4. "G.L. McMahon dies; rites set". Edmonton Journal. July 13, 1978. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  5. "Pacific Petroleums Ltd". The Calgary Herald. January 19, 1961. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  6. "Twelve Storeys Now Planned For $7,000,000 Calgary Inn". The Calgary Herald. March 25, 1964. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  7. "Calgary Inn Elects New President". The Calgary Herald. March 6, 1968. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  8. White, Ryan (May 16, 2019). "Birthplace of the Caesar celebrates 50 years of preparing Canada's unofficial cocktail". CTVNewsCalgary.ca. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  9. "National Trust Appointment". The Calgary Herald. December 8, 1955. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  10. "Changes Inevitable". The Calgary Herald. December 21, 1962. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  11. "LaBorde Resigns Stampeder Post". The Windsor Star. December 29, 1959. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  12. ^ Walker, Hal (February 27, 1968). "Mahoney Heads Stampeders' Board". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  13. "McMahon wins bet". The Leader-Post. August 17, 1960. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  14. "Oil Tycoon Must Pay Wife $600 Alimony". The Sunday Sun. June 20, 1957. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
Calgary Stampeders team presidents
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