ROSEN, Harry - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Harry Rosen at age 92 on Sunday, December 24, 2023.
Retailer extraordinaire and founder of the Harry Rosen chain of menswear stores.
Harry leaves to mourn his beloved wife and devoted partner of 68 years, Evelyn, his children, Larry (Susan Jackson), Andrea (Rolf Struthers), Wayne (Laurie Lemieux) and Racheal McCaig, together with his grandchildren, Daniel (Anna), Ian (Kate) Graham (Jordana), Ben, Molly, Fergus, Sam, Tobias, Naomi and 6 great grandchildren.
He will also be sadly missed by his brother Lou (Sharon), brother-in-law Ken Zelin and numerous nieces and nephews. Harry was predeceased by his sister Marion Landon and brother-in-law, Sam Zelin. Harry was born and raised in Toronto.
After high school, he joined a small menswear haberdashery on Bloor Street that would ignite his passion for menswear and customer service.
In 1954, he borrowed $500 from a family member and, along with his brother Lou, they opened a menswear store on February 4th on Parliament Street in Toronto's Cabbagetown. With limited inventory, they filled the shelves with empty boxes and bolts of fabric on loan from a supplier and began creating Made-to-Measure clothing for men.
In 1961 Harry took a huge risk, moving his store to a much larger location on Richmond Street, to serve the residents of Bay Street. The risk paid off tremendously and the name Harry Rosen became synonymous with quality menswear in Toronto.
In 1962 Harry started his famous advertising campaign 'Ask Harry', which established him as Canada's premier expert in menswear. 'Ask Harry' would answer common conundrums men would ask, such as 'how long should my trousers be?' or 'how much shirt sleeve should I show below the cuff of a suit?'.
Harry was the first to bring luxury Italian designers such as Ermenegildo Zegna and Giorgio Armani into Canada.
This passion continues to inspire his business associates to this day, and is now carried on with the third generation of Rosens.
Harry also believed in giving back to his community and contributed to many charitable and worthy causes, including the University Health Network, Canadian Paraplegic Association, Corporate Fund for Breast Cancer, Cancer Care Fund, Mt. Sinai hospital, Toronto Metropolitan University, Western University, The United Way, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and many others.
Harry was the proud recipient of the Order of Canada in 2004. The Snowflake pin adorned his lapel almost every day for the past 19 years.
The family are very grateful to Harry's dedicated caregiving team, Lydia, Arline and especially Wendy Gayle.
Donations to Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) or the Baycrest Foundation in Harry's memory would be greatly appreciated by the family. Arrangements with Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel.
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