CHARLOTTETOWN – Simon Compton, who helped bring cable television to Prince Edward Island in the early 1970s died March 17th. He was 80.
The PEI native originally learned the business in the 1960s when he built systems in Uxbridge and Port Perry Ontario – which is still home to Compton Cable, an independent operator run by his son Ron.
Simon Compton was one of the original four who founded the tiny cable company on the Island, along with Dr. Lorne Bonnell, Howard Douglas and Harry MacLaughlan. They sold the company to Bragg Communications in 1998.
Compton also owned a golf course, Fox Meadow – and for years the company held an annual fall golf tournament which drew industry folks in droves. In fact, when Bragg bought the company and re-branded it EastLink, the fall golf tradition was brought on board at EastLink, too, and is still played every October.
Simon Compton is survived by his wife Peggy (Beagan) Coady and was predeceased by the late Jean (Hendry). He is also survived by Ron (Nancy), Trudy Compton, Cindy (Rich) Beharrell and Paul, step-son Jim (Betty) Coady, Steven (Kelley) Coady, Jill Coady and Shane Coady, and many grandchildren.
Memorial donations are being accepted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation or The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation.
For an additional story from the PEI newspaper The Guardian, click here.
