Don Skuce

Don Skuce grew up in Northern Ontario in a small town called Callander, which is located at the southeast shores of Lake Nipissing. Don stayed in the north country for his post-secondary education attending Canadore College in North Bay.

Soon after graduation from Canadore College, Don went into the banking world working for Bank of Nova Scotia based in North Bay. As happens with many others involved in banking, Don transferred with Scotiabank to Windsor, then Kingston, Ontario. Little did he know at the time, but his experience in the banking business would aid his career path in the future.

Don also tested the Real Estate waters for a period of time before entering the Automotive world.

Don met his wife to be Angie, at a ski chalet in the US eastern townships. It was love at first sight and they married in 1985 settling in Streetsville, Ontario. Not long after their marriage, sons’ Joseph and Ben came along rounding out Family Skuce!By this time, Don had found his way into the automotive aftermarket, his first job was working for WH Woolworth representing their Hallmark brand of auto parts. Eventually, Don would join Wells Manufacturing working in senior management alongside Ray Datt.

In 1992, Bruce Lothian, President at Modern Sales Co-Op, convinced Don to join the organization as General Manager. It was the beginning of a wonderful ride for Don but also the beginning of a wonderful ride for Modern Sales Co-Op.

In 1995, Don was promoted to the position of President and quickly made his mark

building a team that could take the organization to the next level. One of his key hires that first year as President was Reid Ferguson, who today is President, Modern Sales Cooperative.

Under Don’s leadership, he empowered the employees, and the company grew quickly. In 2003, Modern Sales relocated to Barrie Ontario, its current home today!

During Don’s time at Modern Sales, he was the perfect President! When dealing with the banks, his prior banking background allowed him to push the right buttons and say the right things, resulting in critical ongoing bank support!

Stephen Van Kessel from Parry Automotive, and Jeff Fortin from Fortin’s Supply Company, both long time Modern members and past Modern Board Chairman and Board members, said “Don was a people person and as such, he developed amazing personal relationships with big and small members coast to coast! He was very good at listening, which resulted in proactive Modern initiatives that met the members’ needs and wants. His leadership, his development of effective Boards, and his team building strength, were all reasons Modern grew so quickly!

Don was a very modest man with a big warm smile; a big laugh and a big heart. He would often introduce himself as “Lead Janitor”. He wasn’t afraid of surrounding himself with quality people that were much smarter than he was, and it was a telling sign of confidence in his own ability.

He was a man of high integrity and fostered this throughout the Modern Sales

organization.

Over the years, Don was very involved with AIA in several initiatives: 

• He served on the Jobber/WD council
• Served on the AIA Board as a Director in 2002/2003
• Instrumental supporter in development of AIA’s Be Car Care Aware program
• Always a willing participant on various WD panels at annual conventions

As well as steering the ship at Modern Sales to great accomplishments, Don was the ultimate family man as they were by far the most important to him. His wife Angie was the love of his life, and Don was incredibly proud of his two sons Joseph and Ben. Whether it was the boys’ soccer or hockey, Don hardly ever missed a practice or game along the way!

After a tremendous career in the Automotive Aftermarket, and with Modern Sales Co-Op being in good hands, Don retired December 31, 2016. Sadly, the following year, Don’s health deteriorated and he passed away on October 23 rd , 2017. Don Skuce was one of the good guys and was certainly taken from us far too soon. He is missed every day by his family, friends and business colleagues.