Thousands of family, friends and complete strangers gathered Friday morning to remember Toronto entrepreneur and philanthropist Ed Mirvish, better known as "Honest Ed." The larger-than-life businessman, who died Wednesday at the age of 92, created a retail empire, revived the city's theatre district and gave underprivileged families annual turkey donations. He is best known for the world-famous Honest Ed's, his flashy discount store on the corner of Bathurst and Bloor streets that sells everything from clothing to whacky memorabilia.
But Mirvish was also a self-made theatre impresario, despite knowing nothing about acting. He bought the Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1962 and saved it from demolition. Mirvish bought and restored the Old Vic in London, England and with his son built the award-winning Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto in 1993.
His theatres hosted such blockbusters as "The Lion King," "Mamma Mia" and "Miss Saigon." Mirvish also handed out free turkeys and fruitcake outside his downtown store every Christmas. Mirvish's wife Anne and their son David were met with a bright morning sun and a police honour guard outside the Beth Tzedec Synagogue on Friday.
Dignitaries in attendance included Toronto Mayor David Miller, former mayor Art Eggleton, Premier Dalton McGuinty and former Ontario Lieutenant-Governor Lincoln Alexander. Actor Shirley Douglas, the mother of Kiefer Sutherland, was also on hand. The Toronto police mounted unit waited outside the synagogue, including the horse named after Mirvish two years ago.
Honest Ed's was closed in the morning to allow employees to attend the funeral. The store's glamorous array of flashy lights were dimmed in honour of Mirvish. Outside the business, the collection of flowers and notes continue to grow for the man who was considered a local hero.
"He was just an amazing man. he'd walk through the store every day, greet the employees, greet the customers alike, and everyone was special," said employee Franca Longobardi. Honest Ed's general manager Russell Lazar said Mirvish was a humble man.
"I know when he received the Commander of the British Empire in Buckingham Palace, he came back and everybody kept asking 'what does CBE stand for?' and he said 'commander of bargains everywhere," Lazar said with a smile. Those who didn't know Mirvish personally admired his generosity.
"He cared about people that didn't have very much," said one man. "He had a big heart, he was very generous and he will be remembered," said one woman. "He touched the hearts of many Canadian people, especially the poor people here.
" Thousands of family, friends and complete strangers gathered Friday morning to remember Toronto entrepreneur and philanthropist Ed Mirvish, better known as "Honest Ed.
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