Thanks and congradulations for two Canadian ledgends

Entrepreneur Mirvish dead at 92

Flair, dedication, infectious enthusiasm and unending caring are all words that describe Canada's discount king, Ed Mirvish.

Honesty in business, especially in retail sales has almost become an oxymoron but not in the world of the man who revolutionized retail in North America. The man was completely free of pretension, a claim that none of his cold big box competitors could ever claim. His gigantic, multi-floor store on the corner of Bloor and Bathurst streets in Toronto contests to his character. The store famously was called “Honest Ed’s.

Ed Mirvish, was a child born into poverty, but left this world as Canada’s leading patrons of the arts and humanity. Mirvish was known for his corny humour, using slogans like “Don’t faint at our low prices — there’s no place to lie down.” to promote his business. He was a man who took giving back to the less fortunate seriously, at Christmas he would give out thousands of free turkeys.

Sadly, Mirvish is no more.

He died today in Toronto at the age of 92 — just days away from his 93rd birthday.

David Onley named Ontario’s new lieutenant-governor

Ontario’s incoming lieutenant-governor who join a long list of governors who lead key “activist” roles. Over the next five years he says his aims are in the direction of improving the lives of people who, like him, live with physical disabilities.

Stricken with polio when he was three, Onley grew up to become one of Canada’s first on-air personalities with a physical disability when he joined CityTV in Toronto in 1984 as a science and weather reporter. In his long career with the station, he has also been an education reporter, a science and technology reporter, news anchor and producer.

Outside of his journalistic endeavors, Onley has been high-profile advocate for people with disabilities joining other Canadian role models, the likes of Terry Fox and Rick Hansen in offering kids with disabilities hope in turning their set backs into life embetterments.

Prime Minister Harper announced the appointment Tuesday, describing Onley as a “respected author, broadcaster and tireless champion for persons with disabilities. Through this work, he has demonstrated the qualities needed for such an important position."

Good luck,

Later,
Kenaz