Earl Orser
Encyclopedia
Earl Herbert Orser, was a Canadian
businessman.
Born in Toronto
, Ontario
, the son of Frank Herbert Orser and Ethel Majorie Cox, Orser attended Danforth Technical School. Support from the Leonard Foundation, a financial assistance program for students enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in a Canadian university, allowed him to attended the University of Toronto
in 1946. Following graduation, he earned his C.A.
. In 1973, he joined the T. Eaton Company Limited
and became President and CEO from 1975 to 1977. While at Eaton's, Orser gained a reputation, perhaps unfairly, as the man who ended the iconic Eaton's mail order catalogue in 1976. The decision to end the catalogue was made by the members of the Eaton family
who controlled the company, but Orser deftly handled the operational, labour, political and public relations difficulties that arose from the closing of such a long-standing institution.
After his stint with Eaton's, Orser moved to London
and joined the London Life Insurance Company
, becoming President and CEO in 1980, Chairman in 1989 and Honorary Chairman in 1994.
He was a director of SPAR Aerospace Ltd. commencing in 1978 and was Chairman for five years.
Orser was also a former chair of the Board of Governors at The University of Western Ontario
.
He was named a Member of the Order of Canada
in 1997. In 1991, he received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Western Ontario. He is a Fellow of the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA). In 1997, he was inducted into the London Business Hall of Fame.
He married Marion and had four daughters: Darlene Funnell, Barbara Orser, Beverley Orser and Nancy Hart.
Orser died following a battle with cancer.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
businessman.
Born in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, the son of Frank Herbert Orser and Ethel Majorie Cox, Orser attended Danforth Technical School. Support from the Leonard Foundation, a financial assistance program for students enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in a Canadian university, allowed him to attended the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in 1946. Following graduation, he earned his C.A.
Chartered Accountant
Chartered Accountants were the first accountants to form a professional body, initially established in Britain in 1854. The Edinburgh Society of Accountants , the Glasgow Institute of Accountants and Actuaries and the Aberdeen Society of Accountants were each granted a royal charter almost from...
. In 1973, he joined the T. Eaton Company Limited
Eaton's
The T. Eaton Co. Limited was once Canada's largest department store retailer. It was founded in 1869 in Toronto by Timothy Eaton, an Irish immigrant. Eaton's grew to become a retail and social institution in Canada, with stores across the country, buying offices across the globe, and a catalogue...
and became President and CEO from 1975 to 1977. While at Eaton's, Orser gained a reputation, perhaps unfairly, as the man who ended the iconic Eaton's mail order catalogue in 1976. The decision to end the catalogue was made by the members of the Eaton family
Eaton family
The Eaton family of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, were owners of the Eaton's department stores, a national chain that was founded in 1869, and became bankrupt in 1999. At the family's height, their net worth was around $2 billion...
who controlled the company, but Orser deftly handled the operational, labour, political and public relations difficulties that arose from the closing of such a long-standing institution.
After his stint with Eaton's, Orser moved to London
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
and joined the London Life Insurance Company
London Life Insurance Company
London Life Insurance Company is a Canadian life insurance company best known for its "Freedom 55" slogan, evocative of saving money to an extent that would allow one to retire at age 55...
, becoming President and CEO in 1980, Chairman in 1989 and Honorary Chairman in 1994.
He was a director of SPAR Aerospace Ltd. commencing in 1978 and was Chairman for five years.
Orser was also a former chair of the Board of Governors at The University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
.
He was named a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
in 1997. In 1991, he received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Western Ontario. He is a Fellow of the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA). In 1997, he was inducted into the London Business Hall of Fame.
He married Marion and had four daughters: Darlene Funnell, Barbara Orser, Beverley Orser and Nancy Hart.
Orser died following a battle with cancer.