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JR Shaw Obituary
JR Shaw
1934 – 2020
It was with deep sorrow that the family of JR Shaw, Executive Chair and former CEO of Shaw Communications Inc., announced his passing on Monday, March 23rd, 2020. A brilliant leader, an extraordinary entrepreneur, founder of Shaw Communications Inc. and Corus Entertainment Inc., JR was a true pioneer of Canadian business, a visionary of the Canadian media and telecommunications sectors, a dedicated philanthropist, a friend who was loved by so many, and
a devoted family man.
From the simple idea of giving people more television viewing choices, JR built Shaw Communications into one of Canada's leading connectivity providers. The growth and success of both Shaw Communications and Corus Entertainment reflects JR's commitment to deliver excellence, his unlimited curiosity about technology, and his unwavering passion for innovation, all of which benefited Canadians from coast to coast.
JR passed away peacefully at the age of 85.
Predeceased by his son Jim, JR will be lovingly and forever remembered by his wife of over 63 years, Carol, his children Heather (Jim), Julie (Terry), Brad (Michelle), his grandchildren and great-grandchild, his sisters Bertha and Dolly,
as well as his many special nieces and nephews, friends and colleagues.
JR had an unequalled work ethic which, along with his humility, could be traced back to his farm roots. The family farm in Brigden, near Sarnia, Ontario, was where Francis and Lottie Shaw raised their four children, including their kind and easygoing youngest son, JR, who was born in 1934.
JR's drive and business acumen came from Francis, who was an ambitious man with tremendous people skills and who loathed idleness. JR's compassion came from his mother. Lottie was strong, loving and a marvelous cook who taught her children to live off the land, including how to pick the best tomato. JR loved tomatoes and later in life, he sourced out the best fresh tomatoes he could find every season to bestow them as gifts to family, friends and staff along with other seasonal food like fresh corn, pineapples, peanuts and honey.
At a young age, JR met the love of his life, Carol, whom he often referred to as his partner, anchor and best friend. JR and Carol married in 1956 and headed to Michigan State University, where JR studied and where he rented-to-own his first TV in order to watch football. The first luxury item amid very humble beginnings.
JR and Carol's first son, Jim, was born in 1957, and after JR graduated from Michigan State in 1958, the young family moved to Hamilton where JR worked with his father, Francis, and his brother, Les, at the family pipe coating business. JR would soon join Les at the head office in Toronto, so the family settled in Weston where both Heather and Julie were born. Having been exposed to the magic of off-air television and its potential at an early age, JR enjoyed the many US off-air signals available in Southern Ontario and identified there was an insatiable desire for more television.
In 1963, to expand the pipe coating business to service Alberta's expanding oil and gas industry, JR and Carol made the decision to move out west with their family and settle in Edmonton. The family grew to include Brad, and with JR's farm roots calling, the family eventually settled on a farm near Sherwood Park.
Getting the western pipe coating operation off the ground, JR had little time for recreation save for watching a bit of television at night. JR quickly realized that the TV channel options available to people in Edmonton were limited, and in 1966, he founded Capital Cable Television Co. Ltd., a start-up cable provider to offer the area's residents more choice and greater access to TV content. Capital Cable, soon to be renamed Shaw, went on the air in Edmonton for the first time in 1971 and connected its first cable customer that same year in Sherwood Park with the support of 43 employees.
Cable television was so popular, Shaw connected 10,000 customers in its first year. It was a small, but growing company in the cable television industry. It also began to grow through acquisition, expanding to new markets across the country - from Victoria BC to St. John's NL - and into the BC Okanagan in 1972.
With JR as CEO, Shaw's growth continued, and in 1985, it became the fourth largest cable operator in Canada. During this time, JR was very proud his children were making their first forays into the business. Working and learning from the ground-up in areas like customer service, installations and even construction, Jim joined Shaw in 1979, Heather in 1983, Brad in 1987 with Julie following in 1989. JR learned from his father the benefits of starting at the bottom, and it was the example he wanted his children and future generations to follow.
The company moved into radio broadcasting in 1988, amassing the second largest group of stations in Canada, and three years later, Shaw became the second largest multiple-system operator in Canada. As the company celebrated its 25th anniversary, it introduced internet services to the residents of Calgary while hitting the milestone of being the cable provider for 1.5 million customers.
In the years following, Shaw continued to acquire phone, cable, media, and internet service providers across the country. JR appreciated continuous growth was necessary to sustain the company's investments in new technologies and the distribution networks to meet customer expectations.
Also, during this time, JR and Carol were thrilled to welcome grandchildren. The pure joy that JR received from his grandchildren got him thinking about how to build initiatives for all young Canadians whom he recognized were so important to the future of Canada. One of the initiatives developed was the Shaw Teddy Bears for Children in Distress Program where Shaw provided stuffed bears to first responders to give comfort to children in traumatic circumstances. The initiative was vitally important to JR, and the entire company rallied behind the program, which reached multiple communities and emergency response agencies across Canada. JR was often brought to tears as he read the letters from parents of children who had been touched by a Shaw Bear's soothing impact.
Shaw's headquarters and the Shaw family moved from Edmonton to Calgary in 1995. The extensive redesign and renovation of the building purchased in downtown Calgary named Shaw Court was spearheaded by Julie Shaw, who joined Shaw as a draftsman before serving as VP, Facilities Design and Management. There were less than 100 employees at Shaw Court when it opened. Today, this beautiful facility houses just under 700 employees and is
the interconnection hub for many Canadian businesses.
In 1999, Shaw split its carriage business from the programming business and spun its media assets into a newly formed publicly traded company, Corus Entertainment Inc., with Heather Shaw serving as Executive Chair. Corus started with several radio stations and a few specialty television networks. Julie Shaw became Vice Chair of Corus in 2008 and later was instrumental in the design of Corus Quay in Toronto where the company headquarters are located today.
JR stepped down as CEO of Shaw Communications in 1998 when his eldest son, the late Jim Shaw took over. Current CEO, Brad Shaw, began in the role in 2010. JR remained active in the company he built, serving as Executive Chair until
his passing.
Industry consolidation, network investment and fierce competition continued to characterize the Shaw landscape. JR was a constant source of support for Jim and Brad during their times as CEO. JR was fully engaged in the evolving business and was a voracious reader of internal and industry reports. It soon became clear to Brad and JR that a very important business growth driver was missing from the Shaw portfolio: wireless.
Freedom Mobile was launched in 2016, after Shaw acquired and rebranded WIND Mobile to give Canadians more wireless choice, value and affordability. This acquisition gave Shaw a wireless network that, combined with the strength
of its wireline network, would allow it to usher in new technologies, including 5G, to keep Canadians better connected than ever before.
In that same year, Corus' portfolio of multimedia offerings grew with the acquisition of Shaw Media. With 45 specialty television services, 39 radio stations,
15 conventional television stations, a global content business, digital assets, live events, children's book publishing, animation software, technology and media services, Corus became Canada's largest dedicated media company.
Everyone who was lucky enough to work with JR knew the twinkle in his eye and his broad smile. Always patient, JR was generous with his time and insight and no one ever wanted to disappoint him. From strategy to prudent cash management - a particular focus for JR - to day to day operations, JR didn't need to tell people what to do, they knew his vision and worked with him. The guideline was simple enough and often repeated: "If JR was standing right beside you, would you make the same decision?" If you answered yes, you pushed on.
After over 50 years since JR connected his first customer, Shaw Communications has become a singular Albertan and Canadian success story that provides millions of Canadians with broadband internet, video and digital phone, as well as access to thousands of WiFi hotspots across Western Canada. In concert with Shaw Business and Freedom Mobile, the country's fourth largest wireless provider providing millions of Canadians access to voice and data services, Shaw is well positioned for future growth.
As JR said: "For the future, we will see more change and more success as long as we are prepared to embrace new ideas and not accept the status quo. If you want to see the future – look around you. Together we have made it happen, together we will make the future."
JR was always shaping more than the future of the businesses, he was shaping the future of his family, as well. JR reveled in watching his grandchildren grow up into dynamic and caring adults, and he formed special enduring bonds with each of them. Whether it was fishing, attending sporting and other events, or just telling stories, JR and Carol have centered their attention on their grandchildren just as they did their children to build a legacy of wisdom and generosity.
An inspiring mentor, JR wanted everyone to succeed and frequently took whatever time was needed to elevate someone to their potential. He also offered sage advice to those who he knew to be listening, telling them: "To be successful, you need the vision of an eagle and the work ethic of a plow horse. These traits do not come easy; they require endless practice and constant learning."
JR's career has been recognized with numerous awards, honours and accolades, including being named Officer of the Order of Canada, a recipient of the Alberta Order of Excellence, and honourary degrees from University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.
On the success of the family and business legacies he nurtured, JR would often mirror the thoughts of Bubba Watson, one of his favourite golfers, who said upon his 2012 Masters victory: "I never got this far in my dreams."
JR's business acumen was sought outside the family business and the media and telecom sectors as well, and he gave advice to numerous people, causes and companies. He served as a Director on the Board of Suncor Energy Inc.
from 1998 to 2007, acting as Chair for the last six years of his tenure.
In addition to his significant contribution to Canadian business, which include being a member of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame and the Cable Hall of Fame, JR was an ardent supporter of Canadian art and artists.
Philanthropy was abundantly important to JR and he supported numerous charitable causes, including Graceland University, Community of Christ, Hull Services, The Mustard Seed, Kids Cancer Care, and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) where he served on the Board for many years and where the School of Business bears his name.
Over the last decade, JR focused on furthering the charitable work started by his father through Shaw Family Foundation. Francis founded the Foundation after he retired in 1970 to be a positive influence in a world of negative pressures. JR's contributions ensure the Foundation will be poised to do so for years to come, fulfilling Francis' original mission statement, "For Charity Never Fails".
Most recently, JR was instrumental in raising more than $48 million for Alberta's children charities through the Shaw Charity Classic, Calgary's PGA TOUR Champions legendary stop since 2013.
JR liked to say, "After we are all gone, we will be remembered by what we have given, not what we have received." He lived with that spirit of generosity to his final day.
A Celebration of JR's Life will be considered at a future point in time. In lieu of flowers, please honour JR's memory by donating to causes that need it the most during this unprecedented time.
As JR would tell us now, "Be bold and courageous – when you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do, more than the ones you did." We will listen, Chief, as we were always listening. Goodbye and rest well.
1934 – 2020
It was with deep sorrow that the family of JR Shaw, Executive Chair and former CEO of Shaw Communications Inc., announced his passing on Monday, March 23rd, 2020. A brilliant leader, an extraordinary entrepreneur, founder of Shaw Communications Inc. and Corus Entertainment Inc., JR was a true pioneer of Canadian business, a visionary of the Canadian media and telecommunications sectors, a dedicated philanthropist, a friend who was loved by so many, and
a devoted family man.
From the simple idea of giving people more television viewing choices, JR built Shaw Communications into one of Canada's leading connectivity providers. The growth and success of both Shaw Communications and Corus Entertainment reflects JR's commitment to deliver excellence, his unlimited curiosity about technology, and his unwavering passion for innovation, all of which benefited Canadians from coast to coast.
JR passed away peacefully at the age of 85.
Predeceased by his son Jim, JR will be lovingly and forever remembered by his wife of over 63 years, Carol, his children Heather (Jim), Julie (Terry), Brad (Michelle), his grandchildren and great-grandchild, his sisters Bertha and Dolly,
as well as his many special nieces and nephews, friends and colleagues.
JR had an unequalled work ethic which, along with his humility, could be traced back to his farm roots. The family farm in Brigden, near Sarnia, Ontario, was where Francis and Lottie Shaw raised their four children, including their kind and easygoing youngest son, JR, who was born in 1934.
JR's drive and business acumen came from Francis, who was an ambitious man with tremendous people skills and who loathed idleness. JR's compassion came from his mother. Lottie was strong, loving and a marvelous cook who taught her children to live off the land, including how to pick the best tomato. JR loved tomatoes and later in life, he sourced out the best fresh tomatoes he could find every season to bestow them as gifts to family, friends and staff along with other seasonal food like fresh corn, pineapples, peanuts and honey.
At a young age, JR met the love of his life, Carol, whom he often referred to as his partner, anchor and best friend. JR and Carol married in 1956 and headed to Michigan State University, where JR studied and where he rented-to-own his first TV in order to watch football. The first luxury item amid very humble beginnings.
JR and Carol's first son, Jim, was born in 1957, and after JR graduated from Michigan State in 1958, the young family moved to Hamilton where JR worked with his father, Francis, and his brother, Les, at the family pipe coating business. JR would soon join Les at the head office in Toronto, so the family settled in Weston where both Heather and Julie were born. Having been exposed to the magic of off-air television and its potential at an early age, JR enjoyed the many US off-air signals available in Southern Ontario and identified there was an insatiable desire for more television.
In 1963, to expand the pipe coating business to service Alberta's expanding oil and gas industry, JR and Carol made the decision to move out west with their family and settle in Edmonton. The family grew to include Brad, and with JR's farm roots calling, the family eventually settled on a farm near Sherwood Park.
Getting the western pipe coating operation off the ground, JR had little time for recreation save for watching a bit of television at night. JR quickly realized that the TV channel options available to people in Edmonton were limited, and in 1966, he founded Capital Cable Television Co. Ltd., a start-up cable provider to offer the area's residents more choice and greater access to TV content. Capital Cable, soon to be renamed Shaw, went on the air in Edmonton for the first time in 1971 and connected its first cable customer that same year in Sherwood Park with the support of 43 employees.
Cable television was so popular, Shaw connected 10,000 customers in its first year. It was a small, but growing company in the cable television industry. It also began to grow through acquisition, expanding to new markets across the country - from Victoria BC to St. John's NL - and into the BC Okanagan in 1972.
With JR as CEO, Shaw's growth continued, and in 1985, it became the fourth largest cable operator in Canada. During this time, JR was very proud his children were making their first forays into the business. Working and learning from the ground-up in areas like customer service, installations and even construction, Jim joined Shaw in 1979, Heather in 1983, Brad in 1987 with Julie following in 1989. JR learned from his father the benefits of starting at the bottom, and it was the example he wanted his children and future generations to follow.
The company moved into radio broadcasting in 1988, amassing the second largest group of stations in Canada, and three years later, Shaw became the second largest multiple-system operator in Canada. As the company celebrated its 25th anniversary, it introduced internet services to the residents of Calgary while hitting the milestone of being the cable provider for 1.5 million customers.
In the years following, Shaw continued to acquire phone, cable, media, and internet service providers across the country. JR appreciated continuous growth was necessary to sustain the company's investments in new technologies and the distribution networks to meet customer expectations.
Also, during this time, JR and Carol were thrilled to welcome grandchildren. The pure joy that JR received from his grandchildren got him thinking about how to build initiatives for all young Canadians whom he recognized were so important to the future of Canada. One of the initiatives developed was the Shaw Teddy Bears for Children in Distress Program where Shaw provided stuffed bears to first responders to give comfort to children in traumatic circumstances. The initiative was vitally important to JR, and the entire company rallied behind the program, which reached multiple communities and emergency response agencies across Canada. JR was often brought to tears as he read the letters from parents of children who had been touched by a Shaw Bear's soothing impact.
Shaw's headquarters and the Shaw family moved from Edmonton to Calgary in 1995. The extensive redesign and renovation of the building purchased in downtown Calgary named Shaw Court was spearheaded by Julie Shaw, who joined Shaw as a draftsman before serving as VP, Facilities Design and Management. There were less than 100 employees at Shaw Court when it opened. Today, this beautiful facility houses just under 700 employees and is
the interconnection hub for many Canadian businesses.
In 1999, Shaw split its carriage business from the programming business and spun its media assets into a newly formed publicly traded company, Corus Entertainment Inc., with Heather Shaw serving as Executive Chair. Corus started with several radio stations and a few specialty television networks. Julie Shaw became Vice Chair of Corus in 2008 and later was instrumental in the design of Corus Quay in Toronto where the company headquarters are located today.
JR stepped down as CEO of Shaw Communications in 1998 when his eldest son, the late Jim Shaw took over. Current CEO, Brad Shaw, began in the role in 2010. JR remained active in the company he built, serving as Executive Chair until
his passing.
Industry consolidation, network investment and fierce competition continued to characterize the Shaw landscape. JR was a constant source of support for Jim and Brad during their times as CEO. JR was fully engaged in the evolving business and was a voracious reader of internal and industry reports. It soon became clear to Brad and JR that a very important business growth driver was missing from the Shaw portfolio: wireless.
Freedom Mobile was launched in 2016, after Shaw acquired and rebranded WIND Mobile to give Canadians more wireless choice, value and affordability. This acquisition gave Shaw a wireless network that, combined with the strength
of its wireline network, would allow it to usher in new technologies, including 5G, to keep Canadians better connected than ever before.
In that same year, Corus' portfolio of multimedia offerings grew with the acquisition of Shaw Media. With 45 specialty television services, 39 radio stations,
15 conventional television stations, a global content business, digital assets, live events, children's book publishing, animation software, technology and media services, Corus became Canada's largest dedicated media company.
Everyone who was lucky enough to work with JR knew the twinkle in his eye and his broad smile. Always patient, JR was generous with his time and insight and no one ever wanted to disappoint him. From strategy to prudent cash management - a particular focus for JR - to day to day operations, JR didn't need to tell people what to do, they knew his vision and worked with him. The guideline was simple enough and often repeated: "If JR was standing right beside you, would you make the same decision?" If you answered yes, you pushed on.
After over 50 years since JR connected his first customer, Shaw Communications has become a singular Albertan and Canadian success story that provides millions of Canadians with broadband internet, video and digital phone, as well as access to thousands of WiFi hotspots across Western Canada. In concert with Shaw Business and Freedom Mobile, the country's fourth largest wireless provider providing millions of Canadians access to voice and data services, Shaw is well positioned for future growth.
As JR said: "For the future, we will see more change and more success as long as we are prepared to embrace new ideas and not accept the status quo. If you want to see the future – look around you. Together we have made it happen, together we will make the future."
JR was always shaping more than the future of the businesses, he was shaping the future of his family, as well. JR reveled in watching his grandchildren grow up into dynamic and caring adults, and he formed special enduring bonds with each of them. Whether it was fishing, attending sporting and other events, or just telling stories, JR and Carol have centered their attention on their grandchildren just as they did their children to build a legacy of wisdom and generosity.
An inspiring mentor, JR wanted everyone to succeed and frequently took whatever time was needed to elevate someone to their potential. He also offered sage advice to those who he knew to be listening, telling them: "To be successful, you need the vision of an eagle and the work ethic of a plow horse. These traits do not come easy; they require endless practice and constant learning."
JR's career has been recognized with numerous awards, honours and accolades, including being named Officer of the Order of Canada, a recipient of the Alberta Order of Excellence, and honourary degrees from University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.
On the success of the family and business legacies he nurtured, JR would often mirror the thoughts of Bubba Watson, one of his favourite golfers, who said upon his 2012 Masters victory: "I never got this far in my dreams."
JR's business acumen was sought outside the family business and the media and telecom sectors as well, and he gave advice to numerous people, causes and companies. He served as a Director on the Board of Suncor Energy Inc.
from 1998 to 2007, acting as Chair for the last six years of his tenure.
In addition to his significant contribution to Canadian business, which include being a member of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame and the Cable Hall of Fame, JR was an ardent supporter of Canadian art and artists.
Philanthropy was abundantly important to JR and he supported numerous charitable causes, including Graceland University, Community of Christ, Hull Services, The Mustard Seed, Kids Cancer Care, and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) where he served on the Board for many years and where the School of Business bears his name.
Over the last decade, JR focused on furthering the charitable work started by his father through Shaw Family Foundation. Francis founded the Foundation after he retired in 1970 to be a positive influence in a world of negative pressures. JR's contributions ensure the Foundation will be poised to do so for years to come, fulfilling Francis' original mission statement, "For Charity Never Fails".
Most recently, JR was instrumental in raising more than $48 million for Alberta's children charities through the Shaw Charity Classic, Calgary's PGA TOUR Champions legendary stop since 2013.
JR liked to say, "After we are all gone, we will be remembered by what we have given, not what we have received." He lived with that spirit of generosity to his final day.
A Celebration of JR's Life will be considered at a future point in time. In lieu of flowers, please honour JR's memory by donating to causes that need it the most during this unprecedented time.
As JR would tell us now, "Be bold and courageous – when you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do, more than the ones you did." We will listen, Chief, as we were always listening. Goodbye and rest well.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Globe and Mail from Apr. 4 to Apr. 6, 2020.
Memories and Condolences
for JR Shaw
1 Entry
Colette Hubner
July 29, 2020
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of JR. JR Shaw was always a kind and lovely soul. He was so very thoughtful and gracious.
I remember a time when after doing a favour for him, he gave me a selection of apples he picked from his orchard. A gesture that was so very heartfelt and genuine.
we will miss him.
Heidi & Colette (Wallace Galleries)
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