OBITUARY: Edward M. Ballon '39

Edward M. Ballon ’39 died peacefully at home surrounded by his family in his 90th year. He was the beloved husband for 56 years to Heather; loving father of Daphne (Stephen), David ’77, Andrea (Mark), Reed ’82 (Julie) and Diana (Rick); and grandfather to Kevin and Scott, Charlotte and Isobel, Gil, and Antonia and Felix. Born in Montreal to Dr. David and Lilian Ballon, Ed was the eldest of six children: Jonathan (deceased), Joy, Margot, Basil, and Judy. He attended Selwyn House School, St. Andrew's College and McGill University, leaving McGill from 1943 to 1945 to serve proudly as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy. He then dove back into student life, becoming president of the McGill Student Society and captain of the track team. As a runner, Ed's forté was the mile, and he competed both nationally and internationally. In 1950, he completed his education with an MBA from the Harvard Business School. In later years he served as Chairman of the Board of Selwyn House, spent 34 years on the Board of Governors of St. Andrew's, and was President of the McGill Graduate Society and a member of its Board of Governors. During his long professional career, Ed taught marketing at the University of Toronto Business School, served as an executive for the Hudson's Bay Company and was Vice President of Retail Operations for Henry Birks & Sons, where he worked for 20 years. After "retirement," he became the Executive Director of the Business Fund for Canadian Studies in the United States. Eddie was passionate about racquet sports, sailing, the monarchy, bridge, his many long-time friendships and of course his adored "first wife." He treasured his time spent at Camp Ahmek, the Toronto Racquet Club, the Montreal Racket Club, the Hillside Tennis Club and the B&R. The family spent summers in Georgian Bay where he ruled the waves with his Albacore, and the verandah with his scrabble board. Known variously as The Admiral, Professor and Sir Edward, he will be remembered for his notorious election campaign at McGill, his racy and yet sentimental poetry, his sense of fair play, his right-wing politics and his outrageous flirting. He loved his children and grandchildren, his siblings, his wonderful friends and most of all, his wife. If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a school or university of your choice. A service will be held on May 6, 2014 at the Church of St. Simon the Apostle in Toronto.
Published in The Gazette on Apr. 30, 2014