Mattress Industry Veteran Bob Kay has Passed Away

New Brunswick-born mattress mogul and astute entrepreneur Robert (Bob) Kay has died.

Kay established Springwall Sleep Products (formerly known as Atlantic Sleep Products) in 1964, the largest Canadian-owned and operated mattress manufacturer.

He was also instrumental in setting up and maintaining a variety of other businesses, including Tennant Beverages, Cable Service Inc., Celserve Communications, Cambridge Investments, Mavericks Steakhouse, Campers City RV Resort Inc., Cambridge Developments and Redi-Shread Capital Corp.

In 2014, Kay was awarded the Canadian Home Furnishings Alliance’s Lifetime Achievement Award honouring his exemplary and sustained contributions to the Canadian furniture and home furnishings industry.

This past May, he retired as board chair of Canadian real estate investment trust Killam Properties, a position he held for more than a decade.

Kay passed away July 15, at the age of 87.

He is survived by his sons Boyd and Gregory, seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren and loyal canine companion Bo.