
02/04/2025
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Today, we’re taking a moment to honor the legacy of our founder, John Sellen. In 1958, John and Velma opened the doors to Canvasback from their very own home, and selling items out of the truck of his car before moving to their property on Kirkness Road near Lockport. John ran the business while also working at General Motors for 31 years! 💼🏡
John retired from Canvasback in 1993, but his legacy lives on in everything we do. Known for his unwavering integrity, sharp wit, kind heart, and positive outlook, John was a true inspiration to everyone who knew him. His commitment to always doing the right thing—no matter the cost—continues to shape our values today. 💚
Even after his passing on August 17, 2022, John is still a part of our daily life at Canvasback. His leather-topped desk remains in the office as a reminder of his dedication and our history. Every new team member learns about Johnny Sellen during onboarding—especially the story of how John always trusted people, even those he had just met; he met them with authenticity and kindness. We empower our staff to make decisions based on What would John do? Because when given a choice, no matter how difficult, John always did the right thing, no matter the consequences. 📝
We’re proud to carry on his legacy and continue to do things the Canvasback way.