The Unconventional Rise of Bill Comrie: From Hockey Dreams to a Retail Empire

A Pivot Born from Loss — Childhood, Hockey and the First Step Toward Business

When Bill Comrie came into the world on June 29, 1950, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, he probably never imagined that one day people would link his name to one of the country’s retail giants. Yet life’s early turns — especially the sudden death of his father — set him on a path that would dramatically reshape not just his own destiny but the futures of his children. 

As a youth, Comrie embraced hockey with passion. He played junior hockey for the Moose Jaw Canucks — a farm team for the Chicago Blackhawks — and later the Edmonton Oil Kings.  But when his father passed away, Comrie made a pivotal decision: he walked away from his hockey dreams to help run the family’s modest furniture store.  It was a decision that quietly sowed the seeds for a retail empire.

Building an Empire — The Rise of The Brick

In the early 1970s, armed with only a napkin (on which he drafted the first business “budget,” as he later recalled), Comrie opened Bill Comrie’s Furniture Warehouse. What began as a single store in Edmonton evolved steadily — and soon — into what became The Brick Warehouse Corporation, one of Canada’s largest retailers for furniture, mattresses, appliances and home electronics. 

Under his leadership, The Brick grew in scope and popularity. Comrie’s early adoption of consumer-friendly practices — like same-day delivery and no-interest financing — set the brand apart long before such features became standard retail fare.  Beyond business acumen, his vision included community: his influence and philanthropy would earn him recognition far beyond boardrooms. 

Transitioning Power — From Retail Mogul to Legacy Architect

Comrie eventually sold The Brick in a landmark 2012 deal to another Canadian retailer, Leon's Furniture Ltd. — reportedly for around US$700 million.  This move didn’t just signify a payout; it marked his transition from active executive to patriarch overseeing a growing family legacy, with stakes in philanthropy, sports, and family businesses. 

In recognition of his contributions — both entrepreneurial and philanthropic — Comrie was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2006. The honor acknowledged not only his business success but also his dedication to causes like healthcare (notably children’s hospital initiatives) and youth sports.

A Family Built on Work Ethic — Relationships, Children, and Legacy

Bill Comrie’s personal life reflects the same commitment and resilience he applied to business. From his first marriage to his late wife (who passed away in 1990), he had three children — among them his sons Mike Comrie and Paul Comrie. 

In 1994, he married Roxanne Comrie, with whom he had additional children, including the hockey-goaltender Eric Comrie (among others).  The Comrie children carried forward their father’s legacy — on ice and beyond. Mike enjoyed a long NHL career; Paul had a brief stint; Eric rose as a young goaltender with promise. 

Despite their wealth, the Comries have often emphasized groundedness. According to a profile from 2013, Bill insisted his children grow up with a strong work ethic rather than privilege — echoing the values that built the original furniture store.  Even as the family enjoys success, the origins — a humble store budgeted on a napkin — remain a source of grounding and identity.

Wealth Realized, But Humility Retained — Net Worth and Personal Philosophy

Estimating a precise figure for net worth is always fraught with uncertainty — especially for someone whose fortune stems from a private company sale, diversified investments and philanthropic giving. Some sources list Bill Comrie’s net worth at around US$500 million.  Others — referencing the sale price of The Brick — place his wealth higher; one recent profile estimates it at approximately US$750 million. 

Yet wealth for Comrie has always been more than a number. His charitable commitments — from supporting children’s hospitals to giving sports equipment to underserved youth — reflect a belief that success carries responsibility. Even after stepping back from daily operations, he remained involved in community causes and maintained a low-key lifestyle anchored in family values.

Why Bill Comrie Matters — Influence Beyond Furniture

Bill Comrie’s story resonates because it weaves together so many threads: ambition, sacrifice, reinvention, and legacy. He didn’t just found a furniture chain — he helped redefine retail in Canada and demonstrated how a vision rooted in practicality and empathy can have lasting cultural ripple effects.

Through his children, especially those who pursued professional hockey, his influence extended into sporting arenas. Through philanthropy, he touched lives beyond business metrics. And through his own journey — from a junior hockey hopeful to a national business icon and community benefactor — he created a blueprint for entrepreneurs who dream of building more than just wealth.

For readers inspired by stories of grit, reinvention, and long-term impact, Bill Comrie offers a compelling example: a man who turned loss into opportunity, ambition into enterprise — and success into legacy.