Joseph Rotman facts for kids

Joseph Louis Rotman (January 6, 1935 – January 27, 2015) was a famous Canadian businessman and a generous giver, known as a philanthropist. He founded and supported many successful groups, like the Clairvest Group Inc., the Rotman Research Institute, the Rotman School of Management, and the Rotman Institute of Philosophy.

During his life, Joseph Rotman received three special university degrees. He was also honored by being added to the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. People remember him for giving his time and money to many good causes. These included supporting the arts, education, and healthcare.

Early Life and Family

Joseph Rotman was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1935. He went to the University of Western Ontario. After that, he studied at the University of Toronto, where he earned a special business degree in 1960.

He married Sandra Frieberg in 1959, and they were together until he passed away. They had two children, Janis and Kenneth.

Business Career

Joseph Rotman started his business journey in 1962. He helped create many private and public companies. These companies worked in different areas like trading oil, distributing petroleum, and exploring for oil and gas. He also worked in merchant banking (helping companies grow), real estate, and venture capital (investing in new businesses).

In 1987, he started Clairvest Group Inc. This Canadian company helps new businesses by providing them with money and advice. Clairvest Group is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, which means its shares can be bought and sold by the public.

Joseph Rotman was also the chairman of Roy-L Capital Corporation, which was his family's private investment company. He served on the boards of many large companies, including the Bank of Montreal. He also helped start several other companies like Tarragon Oil and Gas.

Giving Back to the Community

Joseph Rotman and his wife, Sandra, were very dedicated to helping Canadian organizations become world-famous. They supported groups in the arts, education, and healthcare. They also helped create new knowledge in science, technology, business, and public policy.

Over 20 years, Joseph and Sandra Rotman were part of many boards and gave more than $90 million. They deeply cared about higher education, the arts, and healthcare. Joseph once said that his father taught him a powerful lesson: "The most powerful way to inspire others to give is for them to see people giving in their community."

In 2016, it was announced that Joseph Rotman's estate (his money and property after he died) gave a huge gift of $30 million to the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. This gift helps the school continue to be a leader in business education and research.

Supporting the Arts

Joseph Rotman loved and supported the arts throughout his life. He used his business skills to help the arts grow in Canada and worldwide. He was the chairman of the board for the Art Gallery of Ontario from 1993 to 1996. He remained a board member until 2000 and continued to be a generous supporter with his wife.

In 2008, Rotman was chosen to be the chairman of the Canada Council for the Arts. This is a national organization that gives money, awards, and promotes the arts. He was chosen again for another five years in 2013.

Helping Education

The Rotman family started working with the University of Toronto in 1981. Joseph Rotman was involved in many roles at the university, including being a member of the governing council and its executive committee.

The Rotman School of Management was named in his honor because of a major gift from his wife and family. It is a world-famous business school that teaches future leaders and has top business teachers. The Rotmans also helped fund the Lloyd and Delphine Martin Prosperity Institute.

The Rotmans also supported Western University since 1999. They helped create the Rotman Institute of Philosophy – Engaging Science. This institute connects humanities (like history and literature) with sciences to solve important problems in society. Joseph Rotman also set up a special research position at the university focused on the philosophy of science.

Advancing Science and Innovation

Joseph Rotman used his business knowledge to help advance Canadian life sciences research. This means he supported studies in biology, medicine, and other related fields. He also helped Canada improve its ability to turn new ideas into useful products and services. He worked with groups like the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and chaired the Ontario Genomics Institute.

In 1989, the Rotman Research Institute was created to learn more about cognitive neuroscience. This field studies how our brains work, especially how we think and learn. Since 1990, his wife's financial help has supported the University Health Network at the University of Toronto. This led to the creation of the Sandra Rotman Centre for Global Health.

He also helped found and was a board member of MaRS. This organization helps new science and technology companies grow in Toronto.

In 2008, Rotman began leading a big study about brain research in Ontario and Canada. This study made suggestions on how to improve brain research and how to turn discoveries into real-world solutions. This led to the creation of the Ontario Brain Institute. He served as the chairman of its board. This institute helps turn brain research into products and services to help people with brain diseases.

Another important role for Rotman was as Chairman of Grand Challenges Canada. This group helps improve the health and well-being of people in developing countries. It does this by bringing together new ideas in science, technology, business, and social innovation.

Awards and Honours

In 1994, the University of Toronto gave Joseph Rotman an honorary LLD degree. Less than a year later, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada, which is one of the highest honors a Canadian can receive. He officially received it in 1995.

In 2009, he received his second honorary LLD from Western University. He was also inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. That same year, he and his wife Sandra received the Outstanding Philanthropists Award.

On November 21, 2011, Joseph Rotman was named the twenty-first Chancellor of his old university, Western University. This important role began on July 1, 2012.

He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Life Sciences Ontario in 2012. Later that year, he was given the Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 Ontario Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2013, Rotman received another honorary LLD from Memorial University.

After his death, on November 18, 2015, the Governor General of Canada awarded Joseph Rotman the Meritorious Service Cross. This special award was given to his wife, Sandra, at a ceremony.

Other Achievements

To recognize his many successes and his generous giving, Joseph Rotman and his wife were chosen to carry the torch for the in Toronto in 2009.

The Rotmans also received the Beth Sholom Brotherhood Humanitarian award in 2010. Joseph Rotman was the special guest at The Toronto Club's 2011 Annual Members Dinner. He was actively involved in many other groups locally, nationally, and internationally.

Death

Joseph Rotman passed away on January 27, 2015, at Toronto General Hospital. He was buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto.