Ron Joyce

Ron Joyce came from a poor family. When he was three years old, his father died, leaving his mother to take care of the family on welfare. When Joyce was 16–years old, he dropped out of high school, $35 in pocket, he moved to Hamilton in search of greater opportunities. He drifted around between factory jobs until he finally decided to enlist in the Royal Canadian Navy in 1951.

Returning to Hamilton in 1956, Mr. Joyce joined the Hamilton Police force. While on foot patrol, he became friends with a local donut shop owner and hockey player, Tim Horton. The friendship resulted in Mr. Joyce leaving the police forces in 1965. He purchased a 50% stake in the business leading to what, arguably, has become best known donut chain in Canada. With that success came opportunities; including the freedom to sell the Tim Horton’s donut chain to the fast–food behemoth, Wendy’s International in 1995. Joyce founded the company Jetport over 10 years ago.

In 1974, Mr. Joyce founded the Tim Horton’s Foundation, an organization committed to providing a fun–filled camp environment for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Mr. Joyce continues to hold the position of Chair, Emeritus of the foundation.

In 2006 Mr. Joyce published his memoirs of his time with Tim Hortons titled Always Fresh: The Untold Story Of Tim Hortons By The Man Who Created A Canadian Empire. The football stadium at McMaster bears his name in recognition for his $10 million dollar gift which was the single largest private donation to a Canadian athletics programs.