22 Facts About Ron Joyce

Ron Joyce co-founded the Tim Hortons doughnut chain as Tim Horton's partner and first franchisee in 1964.

Ron Joyce received many awards and honours for his success in business and his extensive philanthropy.

Ron Joyce was named as a member of the Order of Canada in 1992 in recognition of his dedication to underprivileged children and youth.

Ron Joyce worked a number of odd jobs until eventually enlisting in the Royal Canadian Navy, in 1951, where he was trained as a wireless operator.

In 1956, Ron Joyce joined the Hamilton Police Service and served as a police officer until 1965.

Ron Joyce decided to get involved in the newly emerging food-service industry and, in 1963, purchased a Dairy Queen franchise in Hamilton.

Ron Joyce wanted to open up another Dairy Queen, but the city declined licensure for a second location.

Ron Joyce subsequently decided to open a coffee shop when he saw a "For Sale" sign posted on a store.

Ron Joyce hired a management team and began to franchise the company throughout the late 1970s until the 1990s.

In 1995, Wendy's and Tim Hortons merged and Ron Joyce became the combined company's largest shareholder; the firms later separated.

Ron Joyce eventually sold his Wendy's stock and retired from management, but even in retirement continued to be active in his holding company, Jetport Inc, which has significant real estate, aviation, and commercial interests.

In 2006, Ron Joyce published his memoirs of his time with Tim Hortons titled Always Fresh: The Untold Story of Tim Hortons by the Man Who Created a Canadian Empire.

Ron Joyce founded the Tim Horton Children's Foundation, which sends underprivileged kids to camp each year.

Ron Joyce was honoured at a celebration in May 2017 for his combined gifts to Atlantic Canada colleges and universities amounting to over $52 million.

The Joyce Family Foundation has made significant donations throughout Canada and Ron Joyce has been honoured with several philanthropist awards.

Ron Joyce has accepted honorary degrees from seven Canadian universities, including Mount Allison University, McMaster University, Cape Breton University, University of Calgary, Queen's University, Saint Mary's University, and University of New Brunswick.

In November 1996, Ron Joyce became only the second person to ever receive the Canadian Franchise Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.

In November 2005, Ron Joyce was the 2005 Humanitarian Award Recipient by the Canadian Red Cross, Nova Scotia Region for his work with the Tim Horton Children's Foundation and for his continued support of education and health organizations across the world.

Ron Joyce was married twice and both marriages ended in divorce.

On November 11,2007, the Bombardier Global 5000 business jet in which Ron Joyce was travelling crashed short of the runway at his Fox Harb'r Resort's airport.

Ron Joyce's lawyers attempted to throw out the case but were ultimately forced to face trial.

Ron Joyce died at his home in Burlington on January 31,2019, at the age of 88.