CALGARY, AB – Big Rock Brewery has announced that its founder Ed McNally has passed away at age 89.
McNally was originally a lawyer, but became interested in the beer business while representing a group of barley growers in a legal action against the Alberta Wheat Board. He founded Big Rock in 1985, and went on to enjoy great success and many honours over the years, including receiving the Order of Canada and the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005, and induction to the Calgary Business Hall of Fame in 2009.
McNally stepped down as CEO of the company in 2012, saying at the time that he looked forward to having “more time to spend with my other two passions: my wife Linda and my berry plantation.” He was replaced in the CEO role by Robert Sartor, but retained the title of Chairman Emeritus until his death.
In a statement, Sartor says that McNally “leaves behind a legacy larger than life and we will forever be grateful, not only for this great company he created, but also for the lasting impression he has left on the lives of everyone who had the privilege to know him.”