Murray Koffler
Encyclopedia
Murray Bernard Koffler, (born January 22, 1924) is a Canadian
pharmacist
, businessman, and philanthropist. He is best known for creating the Canadian pharmacy retailer, Shoppers Drug Mart
.
Born in Toronto, Ontario to Romania
n-born immigrant parents, Koffler received a Phm. B. degree in 1946 from the University of Toronto
. He is married to Marvelle.
In 1946, he became a pharmacist at Koffler Drug Stores (established in 1921). From 1968 to 1971, he was President of Koffler Stores Ltd. From 1971 to 1986, he was Chairman of Shoppers Drug Mart. He was appointed an Honorary Chairman in 1986.
He and Marvelle established the Koffler Centre of the Arts
at the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre
in 1974. The Koffler is home to the Koffler Gallery which presents cutting edge contemporary art exhibitions; the Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book Awards; the Toronto Jewish Book Fair, and extensive educational programs in music, dance, and visual arts. A new Koffler Centre of the Arts is under construction at the same site as part of the new Sherman Campus of the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and is to be completed in 2011 with greatly expanded galleries, performance spaces, and classrooms. He is credited as one of the founding visionaries behind the major Jewish cultural, recreational, and social service campus project.
His son moved to Israel where he created the very successful Super Pharm pharmacy stores.
"for his many services to his community as businessman, philanthropist and patron of the arts". He was promoted to Officer in 1995. He was awarded the Order of Ontario
in 1992.
In 1986, the Retail Council of Canada
recognized Koffler's ability in leading the Oshawa Group to outstanding business success. In recognition of this accomplishment he was presented with the Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Award. Koffler was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame
in 1991.
The Murray Koffler Urologic Wellness Centre and the Marvelle Koffler Breast Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital
in Toronto is named in his honour and his wife's. The Koffler Student Services Centre and the Koffler Institute of Pharmacy Management at the University of Toronto are named in his honour.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
pharmacist
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
, businessman, and philanthropist. He is best known for creating the Canadian pharmacy retailer, Shoppers Drug Mart
Shoppers Drug Mart
Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation is Canada's largest pharmacy chain with more than 1,241 stores operating under the names Shoppers Drug Mart in nine provinces and two territories and Pharmaprix in Quebec as well as in Hawkesbury, Ontario....
.
Born in Toronto, Ontario to Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n-born immigrant parents, Koffler received a Phm. B. degree in 1946 from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
. He is married to Marvelle.
In 1946, he became a pharmacist at Koffler Drug Stores (established in 1921). From 1968 to 1971, he was President of Koffler Stores Ltd. From 1971 to 1986, he was Chairman of Shoppers Drug Mart. He was appointed an Honorary Chairman in 1986.
He and Marvelle established the Koffler Centre of the Arts
Koffler Centre of the Arts
The Koffler Centre of the Arts is a broad-based cultural institution, established in 1977 by Murray and Marvelle Koffler, in the North York area of Toronto, on Bathurst Street within the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre.-Activities and Facilities:...
at the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre
Bathurst Jewish Community Centre
The Bathurst Jewish Community Centre was the Jewish Community Centre for the Toronto area. It was located along Bathurst Street in the Bathurst Manor neighbourhood of Toronto and had over 100 programs and services, serving daycare to stroke recovery, seniors, Maccabi athletes, and campers...
in 1974. The Koffler is home to the Koffler Gallery which presents cutting edge contemporary art exhibitions; the Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book Awards; the Toronto Jewish Book Fair, and extensive educational programs in music, dance, and visual arts. A new Koffler Centre of the Arts is under construction at the same site as part of the new Sherman Campus of the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and is to be completed in 2011 with greatly expanded galleries, performance spaces, and classrooms. He is credited as one of the founding visionaries behind the major Jewish cultural, recreational, and social service campus project.
His son moved to Israel where he created the very successful Super Pharm pharmacy stores.
Honours
In 1977, he was made a Member of the Order of CanadaOrder of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
"for his many services to his community as businessman, philanthropist and patron of the arts". He was promoted to Officer in 1995. He was awarded the Order of Ontario
Order of Ontario
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
in 1992.
In 1986, the Retail Council of Canada
Retail Council of Canada
The Retail Council of Canada was founded in 1963. It is a Canadian not-for-profit association representing more than 40,000 stores of all retail formats, including independent merchants, regional and national mass and specialty chains, and online merchants...
recognized Koffler's ability in leading the Oshawa Group to outstanding business success. In recognition of this accomplishment he was presented with the Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Award. Koffler was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame
Canadian Business Hall of Fame
The Canadian Business Hall of Fame honours "Canada's most distinguished business leaders", selected by an independent panel representing Canadian business, academic and media institutions....
in 1991.
The Murray Koffler Urologic Wellness Centre and the Marvelle Koffler Breast Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital
Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto)
Mount Sinai Hospital is a hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Although it is physically linked by bridges and tunnels to two University Health Network hospitals , Mount Sinai is an independently operated facility...
in Toronto is named in his honour and his wife's. The Koffler Student Services Centre and the Koffler Institute of Pharmacy Management at the University of Toronto are named in his honour.