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Milton E. Harris

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Milton E. Harris
Born(1927-07-26)July 26, 1927
DiedMay 26, 2005(2005-05-26) (aged 77)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
NationalityCanadian
Alma materUniversity of Toronto
Known forFounder of Harris Steel Group
SpouseEthel Harris
Children3

Milton E. Harris, OC (July 26, 1927 – March 26, 2005) was an American-born Canadian businessman and founder of Harris Steel Group.

Born in Detroit, Michigan to Sam and Jenny Harris, he moved to London, Ontario when he was a few months old. Harris attended St. George’s School and Central Collegiate Institute before receiving a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto in 1949. After his father suffered a heart attack, Harris took over the day-to-day operation of his family's metals trading business established by his great-grandfather in 1886. He founded Harris Steel Group in 1954 in London, Ontario.[1]

Harris was president of the Canadian Jewish Congress from 1983-86. In 1986 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition for having "devoted his energies to community service at various levels, endeavouring to improve the quality of life for all Canadians".[2]

Personal life

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In 1949, he married Ethel whom he met at the University of Toronto. They had three children - Judith, Naomi and David. Milton Harris died in 2005 of abdominal cancer in Toronto, aged 77.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Sandra Martin (April 2, 2005). "MILTON HARRIS, CEO AND PHILANTRHOPIST: 1927–2005". The Globe and Mail.[dead link]
  2. ^ "Order of Canada citation".[permanent dead link]
Preceded by President of the Canadian Jewish Congress
1983–1986
Succeeded by