Century of Service

Kennedy Insurance Brokers Inc. was first established in 1912 by C.V. Shea and W.K.P. Kennedy.

The 1916-1917 Vernon’s Directory, the oldest directory the City of North Bay has available, provides record of WKP Kennedy who at the time was the City Clerk and also provides record of Patton Thos. J. who was in the profession of real estate and insurance. The 1930 Vernon’s Directory shows record of Kennedy WKP working for Patton and Kennedy Insurance Agency and that between 1916-1917 and 1930 Mr. Patton and Mr. Kennedy established Patton & Kennedy Insurance Agency.

Kennedy Insurance Brokers Inc. has not only been a long serving member of the North Bay business community, but has also supported various projects throughout the city since its inception.

The North Bay Municipal Heritage Committee handed out their second Century of Service Award to Deegan's Shoe Store for more than a century of service to the community.

MHC Chair, Peter Handley, alongside other members of the Committee presented the certificate to owners, Ralph Diegel and his wife Pat Kenzie-Diegel, at their Main Street location.

Ralph Diegel has proudly carried on the Deegan family tradition since he began working for his uncle, George Deegan, shortly after returning from service during WWII. Deegan had no children of his own, so Ralph took over the business and continued Deegan's legacy.

Deegan's Shoe Store is one of the oldest businesses in the area that remains operational. The store opened its doors in 1998 and has been a destination for footwear for residents of North Bay ever since. In fact, Deegan's Shoe Store is considered to be the oldest independent shoe store in Canada.