Murray Koffler
| Murray Koffler | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Murray Bernard Koffler January 22, 1924 Toronto, Ontario |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Alma mater | University of Toronto |
| Occupation | pharmacist, businessman, and philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder of Shoppers Drug Mart and Co-Founder Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts |
| Spouse(s) | Marvelle Koffler |
| Relatives | Leon Koffler (son) Tiana Koffler Boyman (daughter) Theo Koffler (daughter) Tom Koffler (son) Adam Koffler (son) |
| Awards |
Order of Canada Order of Ontario |
Murray Bernard Koffler, OC OOnt (born January 22, 1924) is a Canadian pharmacist, businessman, and philanthropist. He is best known for creating the Canadian pharmacy retailer Shoppers Drug Mart and co-founder of The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Born in Toronto, Ontario to Romanian-born Jewish immigrant parents, he attended Oakwood Collegiate Institute, and then 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.
In addition to his business pursuits, Koffler is known as a community leader and philanthropist. He has received the B'nai B'rith Distinguished Citizen’s Award; the Canada Council of Christians and Jews Humanitarian Award,; and, with his wife, Dr. Marvelle Koffler, the Israel Cancer Research Fund Humanitarian Award. He has served on the board of governors of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews, as well as on the boards of Mount Sinai Hospital, the United Jewish Welfare Fund, and the Jerusalem Foundation, and is a past chairman of the United Jewish Appeal. In 1979 Murray Koffler was the Toronto Negev Dinner honoree.
Murray and Marvelle established the Koffler Centre of the Arts in 1974. The Koffler Centre and Koffler Gallery presents a contemporary cross-disciplinary arts program including the Vine Awards for Canadian Jewish Literature and a diverse range of programs in theatre, literature and visual arts. The Marvelle Koffler Breast Centre and the Murray Koffler Urologic Wellness Centre were both established through their generous philanthropy to the Mount Sinai Hospital.
In 1969, Koffler rallied the pharmaceutical community, among others, to launch The Council on Drug Abuse (CODA), a charitable non-profit association with the mandate to prevent substance abuse through health promotion and education impacting children and youth. CODA develops/delivers cutting-edge, preventive drug abuse programs to youth aged 12–19 in 104 Canadian school communities which include students/teachers other youth/adults associated with high school and feeder schools, local community groups/social services/community centres/police and other points of community focus including culturally diverse groups/populations.
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