‘A Great Canadian’: Tributes Pour In For Self-Made Billionaire Ted Rogers
Posted December 2, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
“A great Canadian.”
“A lifelong friend.”
“A media giant.”
Those are just a few of the tributes being paid to Ted Rogers following his passing Tuesday at the age of 75.
The communications pioneer, who built a media empire employing close to 30,000 people, died at his home surrounded by loved ones a month after he was admitted to hospital for congestive heart failure.
Rogers was born in Toronto and lived here for much of his life, prompting Mayor David Miller to call him a “great Torontonian through and through.”
“He was born here, raised here, built an incredibly successful business here and passed away here,” Miller said.
“His legacy will forever be one of connecting people, connecting them to family, friends and information through his telecommunications and publishing empire and also to opportunity through his philanthropic work like his recent $15 million contribution to Ryerson University.
“I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Mr. Rogers on a number of occasions and came to respect him as a true city builder and a true Torontonian.”
Provincial Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory, who worked for Rogers for a good part of his career before entering politics, shared his memories of the self-made billionaire on Tuesday.
“I was lucky to have known Ted Rogers as my boss, a mentor, a fellow political warrior and most importantly a lifelong friend. If there was anyone who would have chosen to live another 75 years if he could, it would have been Ted Rogers because he still had so much he wanted to do,” Tory noted in a statement.
“His was a life incredibly well lived and everyone who knew him and millions who didn’t are much the better for it.”
Premier Dalton McGuinty praised Rogers for the employment he provided to tens of thousands in Ontario.
“Ted leaves behind an astonishing legacy. He built Rogers Communications through sheer hard work and vision into one of the most successful media companies in Canada. In the process, Ted created thousands of jobs for Ontarians and served as an inspiration to business and community leaders in Canada and around the world,” McGuinty explained.
“Ted and his wife Loretta have left an indelible mark on our communities through their generous support of numerous public institutions, including the University of Toronto, Ryerson University and many charities and hospitals.
“No matter what he did, whether it was through his philanthropic efforts, work in the community or his business, Ted always found ways to connect people to one another.”
And despite his own troubles in Ottawa , Prime Minister Stephen Harper took a moment of his own to lament the loss of Canada ‘s most famous media mogul.
“He touched the lives of countless Canadians outside of his business ventures through his generosity in professional sport, health care and education. He and his wife Loretta have made substantial contributions, including to Ryerson University and Toronto-area hospitals.
“ We will never forget one of our greatest Canadians.”
In a written statement, rival Stephane Dion also paid his respects to the visionary.
“Mr. Rogers’ passion and dedication for the communications industry transformed him from entrepreneur to founder of one of the largest and most successful companies in the country.
“With his passing, Canada has lost a media giant.”
In 1991, Rogers was named an officer of the Order of Canada, a nod to his business success.
“As a father, he is phenomenal,” daughter Martha Rogers noted when Rogers turned 75. “He would always do whatever he could to spend time with us, even canceled meetings to come and watch our silly swim races and stuff.”
Rogers passed away at his Toronto home surrounded by family after being hospitalized for congestive heart failure several weeks ago. He is survived by his wife, Loretta, and their four children, Edward, Lisa, Melinda and Martha.
