Grandpa Pike

Laurie Blackwood Pike, a.k.a. Grandpa Pike, was born in Stanhope, Newfoundland and Labrador. A businessman and commercial traveller by occupation, he currently works as a business development manager with a national chain of hardware and building supply stores. Grandpa Pike is not a grandfather but got the nickname when his hair went grey when he was in his twenties. In 1986, he bought a rural general store, developed a logo, and branded the business “Grandpa Pike’s.” His unique store was profiled in the hardware industry’s Hardware Merchandising magazine. In recent years, Grandpa Pike has used his nickname for charity work. In 2007, he partnered with the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, Newfoundland & Labrador Chapter, to release a music CD. The Will to Live contains country, Irish, folk, and gospel tunes. In 2009, he partnered again with the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada to produce a gospel Christmas CD. He is married to Kathleen Pike and has one daughter, Laurie Shannon.