MICHAEL CHRISTIAN DE PENCIER

C.M. O.Ont. LL.D. January 19, 1935 – October 6, 2024 Mike de P loved life and all of its gifts with a contagious enthusiasm. He had a rare drive and boundless energy that he poured into learning, friendship, marriage, family, business, community, philanthropy and environmental activism until his last day. He was predeceased by his brother, John; and leaves his beloved wife of 62 years, Honor (née Bonnycastle); his children, Nicholas (Jennifer Baichwal), Miranda, and Mark (Kelly Szandtner); grandchildren, Magnus, Anna, Jasmine, Quinn; and many loving nieces and nephews. A graduate of Trinity College School (where he was captain of the hockey team) and Trinity College U of T, he was later a PhD student in philosophy at the University of Michigan when he decided that ideas were more interesting to him when put into motion. With no experience, and a little money crowdsourced from friends and family, he ventured into the magazine business. Toronto was burgeoning, and Mike was an optimist and serial entrepreneur, undaunted by early challenges and naysayers. The formula proved successful, and guided by his unique and humble leadership style, the group he founded went on to publish some of Canada's marquee periodicals including Toronto Life, Wedding Bells, the 'Key To' and Where visitor chains (in over 41 cities), Canadian Business, Canadian Geographic, Canadian Art, Owl, Chickadee, Quill and Quire, Gardening Life, and Fashion, among many others. This branched out into the partnerships of Key Porter Books, Maple Tree Press, and Greey de Pencier books. Among Michael's other ideas that stuck: The Yonge/Summerhill food stores and The Perfect Mix. It was axiomatic to him that the commitment he poured into growing commercial initiatives should be equally applied to nurturing the ecosystems around them and the community in which he lived. He was instrumental in building the Canadian publishing industry through associations, awards, and policy including the National Magazine Awards and Toronto Arts Awards. Once called "the Guy Lafleur of the Boardroom," he gave relentless energy to many different charitable organizations, serving on multiple boards including Women's College Hospital and the Canadian Opera Company, and as chair of the Shaw Festival, The Ontario College of Art (later OCADU), and the World Wildlife Fund. When he retired as WWF Board Chair in 2007, CEO and Chief Conservation Officer Monte Hummel called him "an irrepressible fountain of ideas" and declared that Michael had "exhausted" him. At the age of 67, de Pencier sold the publishing ventures to focus full time on climate change, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability issues. He co-founded InvestEco Capital, the first Canadian investment management firm focused exclusively on sustainability, as well as the Green Living Show, and numerous other green business ventures. He was a leader with his own philanthropy, and, through Trees for Life, the Highway of Heroes Tree Tribute, GrandTrees Climate Solutions, Kids' Run for Nature, the Natural Burial Association, and a slate of other non-profit initiatives, he has helped to raise millions of dollars and plant millions of trees, his greatest passion. He woke up every day wanting to make the world a better place. With his death we have lost a smooth skater, a sure paddler, a thoughtful mentor, an obsessive tree planter, a world-class reveler. He was a quiet, courageous, builder of vital, just, and beautiful realms that will outlast him far into the future. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on November 5, 2024, at Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to an environmental organization.