Walter Carsen
Walter Carsen (August 14, 1912 – October 8, 2012) was a German-born Canadian businessman and
He was born into a
In 1945, he started a distribution business for cameras and optical equipment. In 1949, he became the Canadian distributor for Olympus. The company became the largest independent supplier in its field in Canada. Carsen sold the business in 1962 but continued to be involved with real estate, property development and other investments.[1][3]
Carsen and his wife had two children: Johanni and Robert. In 1975, he separated from his wife; the couple never divorced.[1]
Carsen was a major support of the
In 1993, he was awarded the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award. In 2002, he received the International Society for the Performing Arts Foundation Angel Award. In 2000, he received the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts. Carsen was named an officer in the Order of Canada in 2002.[3][1]
He died in Toronto soon after his 100th birthday.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Eccentric businessman Walter Carsen was an extraordinary patron of the arts". The Globe and Mail. October 12, 2012.
- ^ "Walter Carsen, O.C." Toronto Star. October 11, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Arts philanthropist Walter Carsen dies at 100". CBC News. October 10, 2012.