CALGARY, July 2 /CNW/ - General Properties Ltd. (TSX Venture Exchange: GPL) (the "Corporation") notes with sadness that one of its directors; Mr. Arthur Smith has passed away after a battle with cancer.
Mr. Smith was a prominent figure in Canadian business and politics. In additionto his successful business career, he served in all three levels of government, continuing to serve his country with the commitment he showed during the second world war when he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a philanthropist of note participating in a large number of charitable endeavors. He was inducted as honorary colonel of 4 Wing Cold Lake in January of this year, a position of which he was immensely proud, and a holder of the Order of Canada.
Mr. Leslie Cahan, Chairman of the Corporation and long time friend of Mr. Smith, offered the following tribute:
"I have been very fortunate during my life, in making and keeping unusual steadfast friends - amongst this small group was a standout pal - Arthur Smith - a friend for over 50 years. In my lifetime, I have never met anyone who was as devoted to serving the common good as Art. This was no common politician in search of personal power and fame, but an unbelievably dedicated individual.
While Art was a very successful business executive, his interest were not in amassing a personal fortune but rather in creating projects and generating support from all levels then bringing them to life for the benefit of a host of lucky people - lucky because of a man whose sole focus was to simply do some good.
Arthur agreed to serve on our Board of Directors while shunning all other companies that approached him in these last few years. He continued serving on our board after his diagnosis out of honor and loyalty. For that I am grateful and proud to have had him serve. May he rest in peace."
The Corporation intends to commence a search for a suitable replacement director in due course.
The Corporation is a mining exploration and development company with holdings in northern Alberta, Canada, and a past producing gold mine acquisition under contract, subject to regulatory and other approvals. Information about the Corporation can be found at www.sedar.com.
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