Home Hardware Senior Merchandise Adviser Announces Retirement

Following a long and illustrious career of nearly 68 years in the home improvement retailing business, Ray Gabel, Senior Merchandise Advisor for Home Hardware Stores Limited, has announced his retirement.

“On behalf of Home Hardware Stores Limited, I want to thank Ray Gabel for his inventive and innovative leadership in our company,” says Terry Davis, President and CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. “With the mind of an engineer and marketing instincts that are legendary in our industry, he has been instrumental in shaping Home Hardware into the company that it is today. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who has given more to our industry and I wish Ray only the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

Gabel is a celebrated icon in the home improvement industry; he was inducted into the Canadian Hardware & Housewares Manufacturers Association Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Home Hardware Stores Limited Builders’ Circle in 2015. Not only has he achieved tremendous success in his career, Gabel has endeared himself to industry colleagues with his generous support for community and industry fundraisers, charities and events.

Gabel joined the precursor to Home Hardware, Hollinger Hardware on August 16, 1950 and attended the meeting in 1964 that officially ushered Home Hardware into existence. He took over a purchasing role with the new company and served many roles leading to his appointment as Vice-President, Merchandise in 1979. In 2015, he transitioned to the role of Senior Merchandise Advisor.

His retirement was effective June 29, 2018.