Grain merchant.
Born at Winnipeg on 19 January 1930, son of Charles Edward Hayles and Martha McDonald “Mae” Whamond (c1887-1962), In 1948 he followed in his father’s footsteps by entering the grain trade with the Canadian Consolidated Grain Company. By 1953, he had established himself as a prominent cash grain broker and became a member of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange.
Over the next several decades, he expanded his reach across Canadian industry and shipping logistics. From 1967 to 1978, he served as Vice President of Wincliffe Shipping Limited, operating as a key broker for Montreal's Hall Corporation Shipping Limited. He later transitioned into executive corporate leadership, serving as President of a network of major maritime and agricultural enterprises, including Mission Terminal, Les Élévateurs de Trois-Rivières, Services de Grain Laviolette, and Trans Lake Chartering, a legacy of leadership he maintained until 2007. Refusing to sit idle in his retirement years, he continued to lend his expertise as the Vice President of Soumat Incorporated until 2011. Throughout his career, he was a fiercely passionate and successful advocate for the Canadian grain industry. His peers recognized his dedication by electing him for two terms as Chairman of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange (1976-1977, 1978-1979).
On 16 May 1953, he married Helen Frances Barker and they raised two children. Outside of work, he was an avid sportsman who found joy in hockey, sailing, and golf.
He passed away on 8 November 2016 and was cremated.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 10 November 2016.
This page was prepared by Zeel Bulsara.
Page revised: 31 May 2026
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