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Ted Rogers Obituary
Rogers, long listed as one of Canada's wealthiest people, had been hospitalized in October for an existing heart condition. Despite his failing health, Rogers continued to live up to his reputation of being a relentless businessman.
"He feared dying young like his father but was consumed by work and put strain on his health, even working from the hospital bed more than once," Rogers Communications Inc. said in a statement released after his death.
Bespectacled, tall and sandy-haired, Rogers was known as a workaholic, a demanding boss and a stubborn leader.
In his recent autobiography, "Relentless: The True Story of the Man Behind Rogers Communications," Rogers described the resistance he faced when he asked his board of directors to invest $500,000 Canadian dollars ($403,000) in wireless technology in 1983.
"Every board member voted against me, even my wife," he wrote.
"They forced me to put my own money on the line, which I did. I just knew wireless was the next big thing and I wasn't about to miss it."
Rogers' investment turned into Canada's largest cell phone company. Today Rogers Communications employs 24,000 people and is worth about 18 billion Canadian dollars.
Rogers Communications said its board plans to form a special committee to lead a search for internal and external candidates to succeed Rogers as chief executive. In the interim, chairman and acting CEO Alan Horn will also lead the company's office of the president, it said in a statement on Tuesday.
The list of potential CEOs is headed by Ted Rogers' son Edward, president of Rogers Cable, and daughter Melinda, a vice president of the corporation.
Its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.
Rogers Communications' other assets include Maclean's and Chatelaine magazines and Rogers Centre, home of the Blue Jays. The company bought the club in 2000 and Rogers Centre, formerly known as the SkyDome, several years later.
In 1991, Rogers was named an officer of the Order of Canada, one of the country's top honors.
"No Canadian of his generation achieved more and gave more back than Ted Rogers. He was a visionary, an entrepreneur and a nationalist. People are often described as great Canadians. Ted Rogers represented the gold standard when it comes to great Canadians," said Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader and former Rogers Communications' executive John Tory.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press
28 Entries
Sophie Leger-Comeau
February 4, 2009
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Gale Hanson
December 18, 2008
Thanks for everything
Edward Scott
December 11, 2008
I dealt with Ted and his team for almost a decade. I can say this, I loved Ted. His team reflected his values. Ted placed his stamp on them. I can also say this, he cared very much about his company, his employees and the service it provided.
I will remember Ted most by his desire to provide the best, most cost effective service to his subscribers. If it weren't for Ted and his very talented, dedicated and wonderful team, BCE would be running the show, at half the service and twice the cost.
He ended every meeting I had with him saying, "Ed……..the best is yet to come." Ted, I believe the best is yet to come. God Bless Ted and my condolences to all the wonderful people who shared Ted's vision.
Angie
December 9, 2008
I worked in the Rogers Group for about 10 years. One thing that impressed me about Ted is his demonstration of appreciation for the little guy. For example, several times when I was staying late in the office and Ted was around, he would go around the office and personally thank each one who was there for staying back after office hours. I was always amazed with Ted's phenomenal memeory for names. At a personal level, Ted was a humble, non pretentious and a very humane person. I particularly like his motto "The best is yet to come". It really captures his enthusiasm and his true belief, in good and bad times. Ted was an asset to his company and to Canada, a worthwhile example for other CEOs to emulate. He was interested in building strong foundations for what he believed in, not just in lining his pockets at the expense of the company and its staff.
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frank caldeira
December 8, 2008
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
Usha Uthayan
December 7, 2008
I had the great honour of meeting Ted Rogers during a temporary employment assignment at a Rogers Retail Outlet in Richmond Hill, Ontario, in 1995.
I was very impressed that the CEO of a such a vast corporation would take time out to visit, as this was just one small facet of his total operations.
He was a remarkable man who truly made his mark in our country and the business world at large.
He will be both well remembered and sorely missed.
My deepest sympathies to all his loved ones at this most difficult time.
Warren Thwing, C.P.P.
December 7, 2008
In my business dealings with Ted there was no one better to deal with.
I, along with all Canadians, will miss him deeply.
Binod Baral
December 4, 2008
I would like to express my deep condolences to the relatives, friends and surroundings of Ted Rogers. I am neither an Employee of Rogers communication nor a known friend of Ted Rogers. But I am a person who always respects, remembers and admires such personalities like Ted Rogers. I think he was a live example of the theory: " nothing is impossible in this world". He is the IDOL of all human beings starting from the Billionaire ending to a simple worker surviving from daily wages. This is because, he has taught us how to reach to a goal. He was not only a kind person but also the renowned charity provider and workaholic. I believe his soul gets eternal peace and great respect even in the HEAVEN for ever. He was and will remain in in our heart always and his life history will be written with GOLDEN WORDS in the history of humankind.
I wonder why God has not given him some more years to serve people! Good people always leave us - this is a bitter truth.
Here is my poem written long ago about life:
-LIFE-
Disappearing being Past
Remembrances inside the Heart
Ups & Downs
Smile & Tears
Turning off- inevitable
After the lights turned on
Imagination seems always sweet
Reality looks tougher than hoped
Despite of pains & sorrows
Have to smile with the expectation
Days & Nights of the Nature
Playing Hide & Seek
Running water onto the river
Cannot immerse leg twice
Swiftness of time
Flow of Cosmic Energy
Soul- wandering as an Ether body
Life's trend continues in the Eternal world.
----------The End------------
Karen
December 4, 2008
I am very sorry for your loss. He was a true visionary and has provided many families in Kitchener-Waterloo with job security by being ahead of the competition and by keeping ahead of the competition. This is truly a great loss to Canada. I pray for your family during your grief.
Diane Linn
December 4, 2008
To the Family of Ted Rogers my thoughts and prayers are with you. I worked for the Roger Cable System in Portland, Oregon under the visionary leadership of Ted Rogers and his team. I am forever indebted for the experience I had over a 8 year period. I admired Mr. Rogers immeasurably and feel your loss today. Thank you for the opportunity to contribution to this guest book - he'd be pleased with the innovation it represents.
Ramon Beltran
December 4, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
God Bless.
Henryk Zaleski
December 4, 2008
Rest in peace, your vision was great and you had the courage to follow your dream.
cynthia gossin
December 4, 2008
sorry to hear of the passing of mr rogers hope you will have tremendous memories on a personal level I am blue jay fan too sincere condolences cynthia gossin daniel linden and andrea linden
Adam Haas
December 3, 2008
To the Rogers Family,
My heart goes out to you for your loss.
Ted had a profound and very positive impact on my professional life. I was one of the first employees at Rogers Cable in Portland, Oregon in the early 80's when Ted was investing heavily in the US cable TV market. Ted and his excellent senior management team gave me many opportunities to grow professionally at Rogers, first by running the local programming department and eventually after much development and mentoring, taking the helm of the Portland operation as Regional VP/GM.
Thank you, Ted, for launching my career and for setting the bar so high.
Eugene McDonald
December 3, 2008
To The Rogers Family, Friends and Employees....my sympathies...
His leadership was inspirational....
I remember when we had to work with Rogers when Bell and Rogers became carriers together.
Building teams and training materials to establish parallel networks, IDSN was one thing I worked closely on when it was pioneered. However, due to cancer I had to take disability leave and always love telling cutover stories....
I am proud to say communication is the legacy i see for Ted.
May you rest in peace
ANd may God always Bless you, your family and your employees.....
Kind Sincere Regards
Ray Torres
December 3, 2008
I am currently a Rogers Employee going on 20 years and have had the pleasure of meeting Ted Rogers twice and hearing him speak at general assemblies. He always seemed warm and approachable. What stuck me the most was how charismatic he was when he spoke to a crowd.
I would just like to give my condolences to his family, friends, and co-workers. He will be greatly missed!
P.C Stewart
December 3, 2008
Our condolence go out to your family. Mr.Rogers had a full life doing things to make others happy as well as himself may you have joy in knowing that.
Daniels Family
December 3, 2008
We are so sorry for your loss. May you all find solace in "the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort". (2 Cor 1:3,4) And comfort in your precious memories.
ann ?
December 3, 2008
to my condolences to the family
i am very sorry to hear that he pass away i was very stock to hear about that my haert go to the family we will alwasys remember him in our heart we will miss him so much in my heart maybe some day we will meet him again bye take care we love you so much in our heart god blesss you
Lorna Bell
December 2, 2008
Thank you Mr. Rogers for your contributions to Canadian broadcasting and communications.
My sincerest condolences to the all of the Rogers family, and to all those who worked with Mr. Rogers and knew him. I'm very sad for your loss.
Heather O'Shaughnessy
December 2, 2008
I had the pleasure of meeting Ted Rogers at the opening of the Ottawa Call Centre and working for his company. I believe that he was a visionary and that we will honour him ever day by continuing to care for our customers. My sincere condolences to all his family and friends and the extended family of Rogers' companies.
cynthia d.m tomenson
December 2, 2008
to the rogers family
may god be with thru out this time of need to grief......with the help of someone who believed on all levels of communication and the man who made words into mountains.with our sincerest hearts at this time from our family to yours at this time and always.
from mr and mrs tomenson and family
Regan Tessis
December 2, 2008
Martha and family,
I am so sorry for your loss and am thinking about you at this difficult time.
Regan Tessis (from CCNM)
December 2, 2008
Thank YOU, David M.& Jessica Todd
Michelle Sullivan
December 2, 2008
My thoughts are with Ted's friends and family. I had the pleasure of meeting Ted when he was inducted into Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame in 2006. A great Canadian who will be missed.
Michelle Sullivan
Director, Corporate outreach
Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame
D. ZIMMERMAN
December 2, 2008
REST IN PEACE TED ROGERS
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