Ted Rogers, 75, built communications empire

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Media mogul Ted Rogers, who channeled his drive and dedication into building the Rogers Communications empire, died in his Toronto home Tuesday morning.

Rogers, 75, had been dealing with a chronic heart condition and his health had deteriorated over the past few years. He had also battled melanoma and had suffered aneurysms.

Nonetheless, the Forest Hill-raised Upper Canada College graduate made himself into a driving force in the Canadian communications business, building his company from a single radio station - he purchased CHFI in 1960 - into a corporate giant and a leader in cable television, Internet, wireless communications and publishing.

The corporation currently owns more than 50 radio stations, Maclean's and Chatelaine magazines, several television networks including CITY-TV and the Toronto Blue Jays in addition to the various Rogers video and cable services.

Often described as a visionary, Rogers was at the forefront in providing high-speed Internet and wireless communications when both were new and relatively unknown technologies.

In his autobiography Relentless, released earlier this year, Rogers spoke of his ingrained willingness to take risks.

"I have always been an outsider, whether in boarding school from ages seven to 17, or in starting businesses that much of corporate Canada routinely scoffed at first, from FM radio and cable TV to wireless phones and high-speed Internet," he wrote.

He also acknowledged that he could be a tough-minded boss, expecting others to share the same passion and ambition in their work that he showed in his.

"I simply love to work; and it has taken me a few years to realize that not everyone works like I do," he wrote. "Work and family are my life."

Rogers' rise to prominence was not without difficulty. He was always smaller than many boys his age and suffered from celiac disease as an infant, which led to a partial loss of vision in one eye.

Rogers' inventiveness mirrored that of his father, who invented AC radio tubes and founded the CFRB radio station. Those traits stayed with Rogers long after his father's early death in 1939, when Rogers himself was only five years old.

Rogers was noted for his philanthropic involvement, donating generously to organizations such as Toronto General Hospital, Sheena's Place, the University of Toronto and Ryerson University, which named its management school after him.

Longtime business associate and friend John Tory recalled Rogers' work ethic, but noted that the media magnate's ambition was tempered by a unique human side.

"The most shining quality he had, notwithstanding the huge success of his company was that he never lost his humility," said Tory, who is also leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario.

"He was a great community builder, from what he did for Ryerson University, the University of Toronto and Sunnybrook Hospital to the thousands of little things he did that went unseen whether it was for employees or just people who needed help."

Tory, who worked for Rogers from 1995 to 2003, noted that his former boss demanded a great deal from his employees, but added that Rogers was always fair and set an example with his own desire to do whatever was required. He recalled often seeing Rogers leaving work at 4 a.m. after finishing an exceedingly long day at the office.

"He drove us no harder than he was prepared to drive himself," Tory said. "You never felt he treated you badly because he had already worked 18 hours, 19 hours that day."

Rogers Communications executives also mourned the loss of the media pioneer, expressing condolences to Rogers' widow Loretta and the couple's four children, Edward, Lisa, Martha and Melinda.

"Ted Rogers was one of a kind who built this company from one FM radio station into Canada's largest wireless, cable and media company," said Rogers Communications Chair and acting CEO Alan Horn in a statement. "(He was) a leader also in giving to the community through his and Loretta's many philanthropic initiatives."

Ivan Fecan, president and CEO of CTVglobemedia said that Rogers was an honourable opponent when the media companies clashed.

"For us at CTVglobemedia, he was both a wonderful partner and very tough competitor," he said. "But at all times, he was a gentleman and his word was his bond."

Toronto Mayor David Miller said that Rogers exemplified the best of Toronto and credited the media mogul for helping to build the city.

"His legacy will forever be one of connecting people - connecting them to family, friends and information through his telecommunications and publishing empire and also to opportunity through his philanthropic work like his recent $15 million contribution to Ryerson University," he said.

Funeral arrangements had not been made as of press time.