Just heard on the radio: Ed Mirvish has died. Toronto has lost a legend, a man who transformed our city from boring hogtown to excitement central.

He brought us Honest Ed’s — a store you cannot miss, and one almost every Torontonian has patronized — and then big theatre. He had an office at Honest Ed’s late into his life and took ballroom dancing lessons well into his post-post-retirement years. He was that kind of man.

His son carries on his theatre legacy, but does not have his bigger-than-life presence. Mirvish was part of an era of men with big personalities who dominated our cityscape. They’re dying off one by one, and their sons are valiantly trying to carry on their legacies. Some fail, like the sons of Sam. And others expand what their father started, but differently. In any case, these men literally shaped our cityscape, and I’m sorry to see them go. I hope a new generation of bigger-than-life women and men will rise up to carry on their legacy of giving our city unique, exciting, and must-see places.

So long Ed Mirvish. We’ll miss you.

Related posts:

1. Ed Mirvish Tribute
2. Ed, you will be missed!
3. Toronto’s 4th Gift to the World
4. Lord of the Rings… a musical?
5. Running for a Cure