I am very sad to read that Canada's Ed Mirvish passed away this morning at the age of 92. Here's the story in this Globe and Mail article. "Honest Ed", as he was fondly nicknamed, was a beloved figure here in Toronto. In addition to the crazy discount store with that same moniker, Ed Mirvish was also responsible, along with his son David, for making Toronto a major player in the arena of live theatre, putting this city on the map alongside New York and London. It is that, of his many accomplishments, that I am personally most grateful for.
CBC's biography series, "Life and Times" broadcast a terrific profile on Ed a number of years ago. It was from recording and viewing that show that I had done this caricature of Ed and David Mirvish. Also, that show revealed that Ed and his wife Anne were ballroom dancing enthusiasts - a hobby that they took very seriously and were passionate about for several decades. Having been involved in ballroom dancing myself for over ten years, I can well appreciate and share their passion for this enjoyable art.
Ed Mirvish was that rarity of successful businessmen, in that he never forgot where he came from and was constantly giving back to the community. Toronto just loved him and we all will miss this wonderful man.
WELL SAID PETER!
ReplyDeleteI can still remember my mother taking me into Honest Eds store when I first came to Canada and was shocked at at the amount of stuff he packed in that store.
Un Hombre mui Generoso!
Alvaro
Hey Peter! Thanks for letting me know about your blog. It's great to see your work again and to catch up with you.
ReplyDeleteGosh, Ed Mirvish passing away really does bring back a lot of memories of his store, all the theater he helped bring and establish in Toronto and his good natured generosity. He'll definitely be missed.
All the best....Carlo.
Carlo - Speaking of Toronto memories, I don't know whether you had heard about "Sam The Record Man" finally shutting down its flagship store on Yonge St. at the end of June, but that too is the end of a long glorious era in Toronto's history.
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