The patriarch of a Newfoundland business dynasty is featured in a biography now out on store shelves.

“The Commander – The Life and Times of Harry Steele” tells the story of a self-made man who had a hand in the aviation, broadcasting and hotel industries in this province.

Business writer Fred Langan says Steele came from humble roots and built his business portfolio after a successful career in the navy.

Langan calls Steele intelligent, interesting, well-respected… and fearless.

Langan recounts one story shared with him by Steele’s son John.

John was with his father when they were informed that there was a young man with a pistol next door looking to speak with Harry Steele. Steele went to see him and disarmed him.

When John asked if he was afraid, Harry replied that he learned in the Navy that a pistol was a hard thing to shoot and that man could never have figured out how to shoot it.

Steele, a native of Musgrave Harbour, is the father of John, Pete, and Rob Steele and has been involved in a number of businesses including Eastern Provincial Airways, NewCap Radio, and Steele Hotels.