Living with heart and lung conditions, Ed had several stays as an inpatient in our hospital. “Every time Ed needed help, he would be taken to Michael Garron,” says his longtime friend and estate executor, Barbara Poplawski.
“The hospital was important to him. He felt he wouldn’t have lived as long as he did had it not been for the great care he received.”
The youngest of nine siblings, Ed grew up in a two-bedroom log cabin near Espanola in northern Ontario.
He moved to Toronto in his twenties and eventually landed a job at CN Telecommunications, where he and Barbara became friends. Ed climbed the ladder to a position where he managed three room-sized computer systems, before retiring in his mid-fifties.
Ed bought his first and only home on Orchard Park Boulevard, south of our hospital, where he lived for 63 years. His parents came to live with him, and he cared for them until they passed.
Among Ed’s loves were his dog and his beautiful gardens. Left alone, he researched and got himself the perfect companion, Joey the schnauzer. It pained Ed immensely when he had to say goodbye to his buddy of 15 years in 2000.
But gardening continued to bring joy to Ed, who masterfully crossbred orchids to create stunning new flowers. He was “like an orchestra conductor” in the way that he carefully selected garden plants to bloom in stages throughout the summer, says Barbara.
As Ed’s health failed, he spent his final days in our hospital before passing at the age of 89.
Contributing to a healthier future
Through his gift in will, Ed is helping to ensure the health of his community for many years to come. His donation supports Michael Garron Hospital’s most pressing needs and emerging priorities, such as leading-edge imaging equipment, expansion of surgical capacity, patient-focused research and more.
Fittingly, Ed’s generosity will soon be celebrated with the naming of a garden planter in his honour. It’s located on our hospital’s Michael MacMillan & Cathy Spoel Terrace, a relaxing green space for patients, visitors and staff.
Recognizing tomorrow’s gifts, today
Donors enable Michael Garron Hospital to provide exceptional care to people in East Toronto and its surrounding communities. We take pride in recognizing their contributions.
During his lifetime, Ed didn’t let us know about his future gift intention. It is our honour to be included in his enduring legacy.
When we learn that someone has included a gift to our hospital in their will, we invite them to join our Joseph H. Harris Legacy Circle. Members enjoy exclusive mailings and special events where they can learn what’s new at our hospital and chat with others who share a commitment to the heart of the east.
If you have made a gift in your will in support of our hospital, we would love to thank you. Please contact one of our legacy giving managers: Yolanda Bronstein at 416-469-6580 ext. 2161 or Laura Byl at 416-469-6580 ext. 2322.
Want to learn more about leaving a gift to Michael Garron Hospital in your will? Click here