Edward Bronfman, 77; His Family’s Business Empire Included NHL Team, Beer

Edward Bronfman, who along with his brother, Peter, built one of Canada’s largest business empires that included the National Hockey League’s Montreal Canadiens and Labatt beer, has died. He was 77.

A spokeswoman for Brascan Corp., the successor conglomerate to the enterprise created by the Bronfman brothers, said Bronfman died Monday at his home in Toronto. The cause of death was not reported.

The business empire built by the Bronfmans was an intricate web of companies -- anchored by holding companies Edper Group and Hees International Bancorp. At its peak, it had assets worth tens of billions of dollars.

Its holdings ranged from London Life, Royal Trust and real estate broker Royal LePage to developer Bramalea and forest company MacMillan Bloedel.

Bronfman also was well known for his philanthropic and charity work, particularly to Canada’s Jewish community. He was the director of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews and the Canadian Council for Native Business. He also led fundraising efforts ranging from a sports center in northern Israel to the Edward Bronfman Family Foundation Research Clinic in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in Toronto.

Bronfman was less involved in running the businesses than his younger brother. He was deputy chairman of the board but sold about a quarter of his shares in Edper.

A native of Montreal, Bronfman had a degree in business administration from Babson College in Wellesley, Mass.

He was the nephew of Samuel Bronfman, the founder of the Montreal-based Seagram’s empire but did not benefit financially from Seagram’s vast holdings.

He is survived by his wife, Marsha, and his three sons, David, Paul and Brian.