Ontario real estate developer and beloved philanthropist Ignat Kaneff passed away peacefully Sunday July 12, 2020, at the age of 93.
Known affectionately to all who knew him as “Iggy”, Mr. Kaneff founded Kaneff Corporation more than 60 years ago after immigrating to Canada from Bulgaria in 1951. Through hard work and dedication, he rose the ranks to becoming one of the Brampton area’s most respected businessmen, community leaders and visionaries with a long legacy of giving back.
Kaneff’s first housing development consisted of 27 homes in the Erindale Woodlands area of Mississauga. Since then, his company has built countless homes, high rise apartments, plazas, office towers and golf courses, and has served as a major driver of economic growth in the Peel Region. Kaneff himself was seen as the catalyst for several important initiatives in education, health care, the arts and social services. His generous philanthropy has enriched the lives of residents in his city, as well as his home country of Bulgaria.
Among his numerous accolades, Kaneff was the recipient of the FRPO Lifetime Achievement award in 2016, and in 2017, he was invested into the Order of Canada.
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Ignat “Iggy” Kaneff,” FRPO tweeted on behalf of members. “He was a generous philanthropist and an outstanding community builder. Our deepest condolences to the Kaneff family.”
Mr. Kaneff’s contributions to the Ontario rental-housing sector will not be forgotten.
I shared 3 hours of conversation with Mr Kaneff on a flight to TO from Florida a few years ago …. he was so very generous with his advice and wisdom as it pertains to the real estate business. I am in the same business and it made for a great conversation. Mr Kaneff expressed his disappointment that he and his wife were not blessed with more than two children… it caused him to provide support to young children in need through his many programs of philanthropy. I am saddened to hear of his passing. Clark McDaniel. Guelph