“It is with great sadness that the board of directors of Rogers Communications Inc. announced the death of our colleague, leader and friend, Edward Samuel ‘Ted’ Rogers, the founder of the company, a visionary communications industry pioneer and an icon in Canadian business. He was 75.”

So
begins the press release issued today by Rogers Communications. Ted
Rogers built Rogers Communications into a Canadian and North American
leader in wireless telecom, cable television, broadcasting and more.



“We wish
to express our deepest sympathy to Loretta and all of the Rogers family
for this loss,” said Alan Horn, chair of Rogers Communications and
acting CEO. “Ted Rogers was one-of-a-kind, who built this company from
one FM radio station into Canada’s largest wireless, cable and media
company. A leader also in giving to the community through his and
Loretta’s many philanthropic initiatives. He will be sadly missed.”



Rogers,
who suffered from congestive heart failure, saw his health weaken over
the past few years. He was surrounded by loved ones when he died at his
home in Toronto. His successor as CEO will be addressed by the board,
which will form a committee to lead a search considering internal and
external candidates. Horn, meantime, will continue to serve as acting
CEO and lead the company’s office of the president.