Remembering visionary Ron Joyce, C.M.
Family foundation helping youth attend U of M
Mr. Ron Joyce
The University of Manitoba mourns the death of Ron Joyce, co-founder of the iconic Tim Hortons doughnut chain and a long-time supporter of post-secondary education. Joyce died at his Burlington, Ontario home on January 31 at age 88.
In 2017, the Joyce Family Foundation donated $1 million to the U of M’s Front and Centre Campaign to help youth in foster care pursue a post-secondary education, through a program that began in 2014.
Joyce, a former police officer, was the first Tim Hortons franchisee, learning how to bake from his friend, hockey star Tim Horton, who started the shop out of his Hamilton, Ontario basement. Following Horton’s death from a car crash in 1974, Joyce grew the business into one of Canada’s most successful food service chains, with more than 4,500 stores worldwide.
In 1996, Joyce sold the chain to Wendy’s International and directed his energies toward philanthropy. In Tim’s memory, he founded the Tim Hortons Children’s Foundation, giving children from low-income families the opportunity to attend summer camp. Through the Joyce Family Foundation, he and his family provide scholarships and bursaries to post-secondary students across Canada. Joyce received many honours and was a member of the Order of Canada.