Longtime Mississauga News publisher Ron Lenyk passed away last month at 68 years old. Lenyk started at the News in 1970 as a reporter and went on to serve as publisher 31 years. Under his direction, the newspaper became the most profitable, award-winning suburban newspaper in Canada, winning hundreds of awards at the local, provincial, national and international levels.
He later moved into management roles, first serving as South Peel regional publisher and vice-president of Metroland Media Group and then taking on the role of vice president newspaper strategic support for Torstar Corporation.
Lenyk received numerous awards for his work over the course of his journalism career, including the CCNA Silver Quill Award in recognition of 25 years of outstanding service, the Ontario Community Newspapers Association’s President’s Award for Exemplary Service to the newspaper industry and, the Suburban Newspapers of America’s Dean S. Lesher Award, the highest award in suburban newspaper publishing in North America.
Lenyk left the newspaper industry in 2011 to become the CEO for the Mississauga Living Arts Centre.
Affectionately known as the city’s “king of volunteers,” he was appointed Mississauga’s Citizen of the Year in 2001 in honour of his dedication to the community and local area charities.
