SunTech Founder Bob Mitchell Passes Away

One of the area’s most successful and innovative agricultural businessmen has passed away.

Robert Gordon “Bob” Mitchell, founder and longtime owner of SunTech Greenhouses, died Jan. 20 in Calgary. He was 69 years old.

Although he was born in Brantford, ON March 27, 1954, Mitchell spent most of his life in Metcalfe and Manotick.

His passion for agriculture was unparalleled. At the age of six, Mitchell knew he wanted to dedicate his life to agriculture. He was known both as an innovator and as a problem solver.

Mitchell was very successful in his family’s farm, Donevelyn Farms Ltd. In the late 1990s he developed the plan for SunTech Greenhouses, and quickly became known as the best grower and supplier of tomatoes in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.

Bob and his wife, Carmen Perez Cedena, operated the business until they sold it to brothers Devon and Benjamin Allin of Newcastle, ON. They were longtime hog farmers but had transitioned into cash crops.

After the sale was completed in the spring of 2021, Mitchell and Perez spent three months training the new owners and giving them every tool they could to succeed and grow the greenhouse business. At the time of the sale, SunTech had 20 tomato greenhouses and three cucumber greenhouses.

Mitchell also opened the door for many migrant workers to come to Canada to work at SunTech.

He

Mithcell is survived by his wife, Carmen, and his children, Megan, in Calgary, and Randy (Ashley), in Stoney Creek. Everything he did was with them in mind. Mitchell also loved his grandchildren Bowen and Josie, as well as his grandpuppies, Huxley and Miller.

Mitchell is also survived by his mother Vera, two brothers, Ralph (Carole) and Ross (Janet); his sister Bonnie (Sandy), as well as many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Bob’s life will take place later this spring.