Crash claims life of former Loewen Windows CEO
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Police continue to investigate a highway crash that killed former Loewen Windows and Doors CEO Al Babiuk.
On Sept. 7 Killarney RCMP responded to a two-vehicle accident after receiving a report of erratic driving involving a grey-coloured pickup on Highway 23 near Belmont.
While responding they came across a two-vehicle collision on Highway 23 located just east of Ninette at the bridge. One of the vehicles involved was a grey-coloured pickup truck.
“The investigation has determined that a westbound pickup truck, being driven by a 59-year-old male from Killarney, lost control of his vehicle and struck the concrete portion of the bridge railing causing his vehicle to roll,” a Sept. 9 press release stated. “The pickup truck then collided with an eastbound SUV containing three occupants.
Police say he was pronounced dead at the scene, while the three occupants of the SUV were not physically injured.
A press release issued by Loewen Windows and Doors the same day made no mention of the accident but mourned the sudden passing of the former president and CEO.
“With his outstanding energy and vision, Al was able to lead Loewen with courage and integrity through some of the most challenging times the building industry has ever experience,” the press release stated.
Babiuk was a senior executive at the company for 20 years, 13 of them as CEO.
His tenure saw him take the company through the recession of 2008, Loewen’s 2010 acquisition by Denmark based VKR Holding A/S, its return to local ownership in 2013 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Loewen Windows described Babiuk as someone with energy and vision. His passion for improvement was said to have extended deeply into the industry and community with contributions to the Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA chair), the Business Council of Manitoba and the Associates of the Asper School of Business.
Executive vice-president and current partner in the business Clyde Loewen expressed his admiration for Babiuk as well.
“Aside from being a strong business leader through some tough times, Al was a trusted business partner, community supporter and genuinely good person of highest integrity,” he said. “For many of us he was also a friend. It’s difficult to overstate Al’s contribution to this company and the people in it.”
Babiuk retired from Loewen Windows and Doors on Dec. 31, 2022, but remained active in the business community and the Killarney area.
Business Council of Manitoba CEO, Bram Strain, said Babiuk was one of the most-involved members.
“He was a true giver,” Strain said. “He just had the best interests of the province at all the times. He was a tireless worker.”
Babiuk is survived by his wife Cindy.
-with files from the Winnipeg Free Press and Jordan Ross