1930–1974
York Cemetery
Section 14 Plot 133
Miles Gilbert “Tim” Horton was born on January 12, 1930, in Cochrane, Ont. His journey to hockey greatness began when he moved to Toronto to attend St. Michael’s College on a hockey scholarship. Recognized early as a rising star, Horton joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1949, launching a career that would span 24 seasons in the NHL.
Horton became one of the most respected defensemen in hockey history. Known for his strength, powerful slapshot and calm demeanor, he earned:
- Four Stanley Cup championships with the Leafs (1962, 1963, 1964, 1967)
- Six NHL All-Star selections
- The Bickell Cup as Toronto’s MVP in 1968–69
His trademark “Horton Bear Hug” often ended on-ice altercations before they escalated. Over his career, Horton played 1,446 games, scoring 115 goals and 403 assists.
Beyond hockey, Horton opened his first Tim Horton Doughnut Shop in Hamilton, Ont., in 1964. By 1974, there were 40 locations.
On February 21, 1974, after playing for the Sabres in a game in Toronto, Horton was killed in a car accident on the Queen Elizabeth Way near St. Catharines. He was just 44 years old. His passing shocked the hockey world, but his legacy endured, both on the ice and in broader Canadian culture.
After his death, Horton's business partner Ron Joyce expanded the chain into a Canadian institution. Today, Tim Hortons boasts thousands of locations worldwide, synonymous with affordably priced coffee, doughnuts and community.
Horton was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977, cementing his place among the game’s greats. York Cemetery has the honour of serving as the final resting place of this unique Canadian icon.
Sources:
• Hockey Hall of Fame – Tim Horton Biography
• NHL Official Profile – Tim Horton
• Tim Hortons Corporate History
• Mount Pleasant Group – Tim Horton
• Kids Britannica – Tim Horton
Photos:
• Headshot - Ralston-Purina Company, makers of Chex cereals - eBayfront, Public Domain
• Headstone - Magnolia677, own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
• Statue - Jfvoll, own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
• Tim Hortons store front - The first Tim Hortons outlet around late 1970s-early 1980s in Hamilton, Ontario at Ottawa St. N. and Dunsmure Road, No restrictions (Flickr Commons) via Wikimedia Commons
