TORONTO—Canada's Centennial Optical announced last Friday the death of the company's founder, past president and chairman, Roger de Pinto. De Pinto, 92, passed away peacefully on Jan. 1. "It is with great sorrow that we share this news," according to Centennial's current president, Allen Nightingale. "Roger de Pinto was held in great respect and is fondly remembered by his employees past and present, as well as his many friends and associates throughout the optical industry."

Born on July 8, 1927, Roger de Pinto founded Centennial Optical as a distributor of eyeglass frames with a staff of six employees in 1967. Under his leadership, Roger grew Centennial together with his late son, Steve, into the largest independent distribution company in the Canadian wholesale optical industry.

From the beginning, he established the guiding principles of integrity, fairness and true partnership with suppliers, customers and employees that continue to serve as Centennial’s mission, Nightingale noted. "We extend our deepest sympathies to Roger’s loving wife Denise, daughter Carole, granddaughter Arielle, grandson Shael, and their extended family. Much loved, Roger will be greatly missed by all of us. We will continue to uphold his principles," he added.

Services were held yesterday at Temple Emanu-El. Donations in tribute to de Pinto may be made to these organizations, which were meaningful to him: CAMH Foundation – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; North York General Hospital Foundation; or the Odette Cancer Centre at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.