I had the chance to meet Ed once; he was helping out some of his employees at his store, stocking shelves. He was a bonafide millionaire, and an extremely generous person. From offering free turkeys to anyone on Christmas day, to buying and fixing up theatres doomed for demolition, he touched many people.
I found his character to be fascinating; and he always seemed to have a smile on his face. I can only hope his son keeps up his legacy.
I've seen EIGHT movies so far this year: Because I Said So - (2*); Borat - (5*); Children Of Men - (4*); Fantastic Four 2 - (4.5*); Knocked Up - (4*); The Last Mimsy - (4*); Shrek The Third - (3*); Spiderman 3 - (3.5*)
I took the pic above of the outside of his store last week when my wife & I spent a couple days in Toronto (and I got to meet up & hang-out with BrewGuy & elcyberGoth, a couple guys from the old board you old schoolers may remember). Everytime my wife visits Niagra Falls to see her Grandpa, she makes a trip up to Toronto & Honest Ed's. She was pretty broken up when I told her he died.
Here's a pic of a poster I took in the store for his big birthday bash:
I actually lived near Honest Ed's store last year, and I took the opportunity to go in for the first time in my life. Got a nice price on a bath mat, so thanks Honest Ed!
In all seriousness, Ed Mirvish was a Toronto icon who did a lot of good for the city. He will be missed. May the lights on Honest Ed's incandescent sign glow forever.
Mirvish was a better ambassador for Toronto than Mel Lastman, that's for certain. It's incredible how much that man was loved.
I hang out with some old Torontonians here, and they're all in shock.
I've seen NINE movies so far this year: Because I Said So - (2*); Borat - (5*); Children Of Men - (4*); Fantastic Four 2 - (4.5*); Knocked Up - (4*); The Last Mimsy - (4*); Shrek The Third - (3*); Spiderman 3 - (3.5*); Transformers - (2*)