Pioneer: Peter Toigo

Peter Toigo born in the forest industry town of Powell River to Italian immigrant parents, Peter C. Toigo earned his first wages at the age of four. At age 17 he partnered with his parents and bought a grocery store, where he worked as a butcher for many years thereafter. Few testimonials to Toigo - business or otherwise - fail to mention the word "family." Peter married Elizabeth in 1951, and six children followed: Louise, Wendy, Peter R., Roy, Ron and Rick. (Elizabeth Toigo, still thriving in 2006, has 15 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.) Peter C. Toigo inspired the entire corporate group with his White Spot vision, his boundless energy and commitment. He wore his heart on his sleeve, treating staff as family. One executive characterized the Toigo challenge as "go big or go home." By 2006, among Shato's diversified interests, there were 60 full service White Spot Restaurants and 44 Triple O's in B.C., Alberta and Hong Kong.

He lost his battle with cancer in 1993. Mr. Justice Allan McEachern, QC, Chief Justice (ret.), British Columbia Court of Appeals, said, "Peter never forgot the adversity of hungry years, and that made him a better person... we shall certainly not see another person like him in this life."