TORONTO: One of the richest couples of Canada was found dead under mysterious circumstances at their house in Toronto on Friday.
Bodies of Barry Sherman, the 75-year-old founder of generic drug manufacturing Apotex Inc, and his wife Honey were found in the basement of their North York mansion. Canadian Business magazine recently named Sherman the 15th richest Canadian, with a net worth of $4.62 billion.
Once the news of their death broke, an outpouring of grief came from high-profile Canadians particularly from politics and academia.
Though police has refused confirming death of Barry and his wife but relatives of the deceased, Apotex administration and many politicians have confirmed identity of bodies as Sherman and Honey.
Police said circumstances of the deaths appear to be suspicious, but noted they are not looking for any suspects and that there were no signs of forced entry. Speaking to reporters outside the Shermans’ residence, constable David Hopkinson said he could say nothing about identity of the deceased. He said, however, the deaths seemed suspicious but, they could not find any sign of forced entry into the house. Homicide detectives also visited the crime scene.
Aptex in a statement said: “All of us at Apotex are deeply shocked and saddened by this news and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.” Toronto Mayor John Tory also released a statement saying, “On behalf of all Toronto residents, I want to express my deepest condolences to the Sherman family. I am shocked and heartbroken to learn that Barry and Honey Sherman were found dead in their home today. I have had the privilege of knowing them both well for many years.”
Health Minister Eric Hoskins in his statement expressed his shock and sadness. “I cannot begin to find the words to express my deep sorrow and profound sadness at the tragic loss of my dear friends, Barry and Honey Sherman,” he wrote. Barry and Honey were kind, good people who will be greatly missed. The philanthropic and economic contributions they have made to Toronto put them in a class of their own” he said.
“Toronto police are investigating and I hope that investigation will be able to provide answers for all of us who are mourning this tremendous loss,” Hoskins said. “If this is determined to be a homicide, all the information identifying who we found and circumstances may be released,” Hopkinson said, adding that the family deserved privacy in the event that the deaths turned out to be an accident.
Former Ontario premier Bob Rae called the couple remarkable. Senator Linda Frum said she was heartbroken, sharing a photo from just two weeks ago, presenting a Senate medal to the couple, calling them among “the kindest and most beloved members of Canada’s Jewish community.” “Our community is steeped in grief,” she wrote.
Honey Sherman was a member of the board of the Baycrest Foundation and the York University Foundation. She also served on the boards of Mount Sinai’s Women’s Auxiliary, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the International American Joint Distribution. Both Barry and Honey were graduates of the University of Toronto. The university released a statement regarding their deaths saying, “Our thoughts are with their close friends and family during this difficult time”. “Clearly, few individuals have done more to advance the health and well-being of Canadians than Barry and Honey Sherman.”
A University of Toronto website lists the Apotex Foundation and the Shermans as donors in the range of $10 million to $25 million during 1995 and 2003. They also donated roughly $50 million to the United Jewish Appeal.
Published in Daily Times, December 17th 2017.