Frank H. Sobey

Frank H. Sobey, OC (May 24 1902 – December 15, 1985) was a Canadian businessman who was the primary builder of the Sobeys Stores chain.

Born in Lyons Brook, Nova Scotia, he was three years old when his family moved to the town of Stellarton where his father operated a meat retailing business, peddling meat products door to door on a horse-drawn wagon. In an era where education opportunities were limited in small Maritime towns, Frank Sobey left school after Grade 8. He expanded his father's store to carry regular groceries. However, he had an entrepreneurial mindset and at age sixteen enrolled in a business college.

Through Empire Co. Ltd., a family holding company, Frank Sobey also built a chain of movie theaters and substantial real estate holdings. In 1971, while still remaining active in the business, he handed over formal control of the company's operations to his three sons, David, Donald and William Sobey.

Frank Sobey received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and the University named its Faculty of Commerce in his honor. In 1985 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. Frank Sobey married Irene MacDonald November 24, 1924. They had four children; Bill, David, Donald and Dianne.

He died in Halifax at the age of 83, in 1985.