The flags will be at half-mast Thursday at all civic buildings and an entire city is saddened by the loss of "Honest Ed" Mirvish at the age of 92. The Mirvish family has released public details about the funeral:

Friday, July 13
Beth Tzedec Synagogue
1700 Bathurst Street, just south of Eglinton Avenue [map]
11:00 a.m. (a strictly private family Shiva will follow)

Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to the Ed Mirvish Educational Memorial Fund c/o The Benjamin Foundation, which is a trust that supports up and coming entrepreneurs. Donations can be mailed to 3429 Bathurst Street, M6A 2C3, or made via telephone at 416-780-0324.

Media outlets have been collecting memories of Ed Mirvish, and the family is allowing condolences via the Mirvish.com website [read the responses]. The outpouring of memories has been extraordinary, with many recounting quirky tales of his larger-than-life personality and stories about how Ed Mirvish helped them out during tough times. The Mirvish family has also installed a condolence book in the lobby at the Royal Alexandra Theatre (260 King Street West) where the public can leave their thoughts between 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

"One of the things that made him so special and so endearing is that despite being a successful and savvy businessman, his motives were always about more than the bottom line," said Mayor David Miller in an official statement. "His foresight also gave birth to the Entertainment District and helped revitalize the city's live theatre industry bringing with it thousands of jobs and busloads of tourists flocking to see the latest great production.
"The lights may have dimmed on Ed's life, but his spirit and legacy have been indelibly burned into the fabric of Toronto."

Photo courtesy of the Mirvish family.