Jerry McElroy

It is with great sadness and deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Jerome Francis McElroy ("Jerry"), a loving husband, father and friend, who died suddenly while on vacation in Florida, on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at the young age of 72. Jerry will forever be missed by his wife of 50 years Carol, his sons Mark (Tess) and Chris (Lisa), his brother in-law Ken (Jo-Anne), his niece Hannah, his cousin Barb Shobbrook and his many friends and colleagues. Jerry was a man of inordinate principle, with many and varied interests. He had a prodigious memory and intellect. He was empathetic and kind. Jerry was the only child of the late Frank and Ruth McElroy. He grew up in Willowdale and attended De La Salle College Oaklands. He completed his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Engineering at the University of Toronto while working part-time at Loblaws and Ontario Hydro. He was an exceptional varsity basketball player throughout his undergraduate years. Upon graduation he went to work for Burroughs Computer Corporation for one year, followed by two years with IBM systems training and sales. Dissatisfied with a restrictive business environment, Jerry enrolled in medicine at the University of Ottawa. It was during his first two years of medical school that he conceived and co-founded MDS Health Group later known as MDS Inc. Upon leaving MDS, Jerry went onto found several more successful technology businesses. He had extensive expertise in pharmaceutical technology transfer, clinical services and regulatory affairs. In 1988 he founded Intercon Phama Inc., which amalgamated with International Helix Biotechnologies Inc. in 1995 to form Helix Biopharma, another Toronto Stock Exchange listed company. At Helix, he was Chairman of the Board of Directors until 2007 and President from 1998 to 2004. He is a co-inventor of several patents. At the time of his passing, he was Director and Chairman of Arch Biopartners Inc. Jerry was a true renaissance man, an industry pioneer and visionary whose wisdom and guidance will be greatly missed. He touched many lives and brought hope to many others by funding, developing and bringing to market life-saving pharmaceuticals. His work took him all over the world, forming treasured friendships along the way. As a counterbalance to his work, Jerry enjoyed golf and travel which allowed him to experience new courses around the world. However, he always liked to come home to play with his buddies at St. Andrew's. Jerry was unique. They broke the mold when they made him. He will be sadly missed by all. Visitation will be held at the R.S. Kane Funeral Home, 6150 Yonge St. Toronto (at Goulding, south of Steeles) on Sunday March 23rd from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Edward the Confessor Roman Catholic Church, 75 Churchill Avenue, Toronto on Monday March 24th at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Children's Wish Foundation or a charity of your choice in Jerry's memory would be greatly appreciated by the family.