Frederick W. Thompson was a businessman and philanthropist who supported the idea of improving mental health long before it was what some might consider a trend.
In 2012, the longtime investment executive’s groundbreaking $10-million donation to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto resulted in the Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre. At the time, it was the largest donation ever in Canada for anxiety disorders and among the largest for mental health. “I hope this centre helps create a greater awareness of what people are going through, opens doors to treatment and encourages people to support [obsessive compulsive disorder] research and care at Sunnybrook,” Thompson said upon founding the centre. “But most of all, I hope it helps set families on the path to truly being healthy again.”
Since his passing in 2015 at the age of 89, children Cristine, Terese, Ted, Jill and Chuck have been committed to preserving their father’s legacy, visible in their ongoing support of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Here, Jill, Terese, and Chuck share their thoughts on upholding their father’s philanthropic legacy—and his “I love Mondays” philosophy.
Can you share some of memories of your dad?
Jill: I remember Dad teaching me how to play gin and cribbage as a very young girl, and we played gin together often right up to a few weeks before his death. He also taught me the rules of blackjack, and we did some travel together staying in hotels with casinos. He passed on to me his love of golf. We never played any of these card games or golf without having some money on the line. And if I ever didn’t pay my debts right away, one of his favourite expressions was, ‘Fast pay makes fast friends.’
Terese: Best memories were summers at a cottage with the family!
Chuck: Our dad was one of few people I’ve ever known who truly embraced what it means to live each day to the fullest. Whether it was spending time with family, cheering on his beloved New York Yankees, making a big move in the market or working on his golf game, he was present, completely immersed in the moment.
What was your father like as a businessman?
Jill: Dad had an innate ability to seek out friends in the business world who shared with him their ideas on different companies they felt he should invest in. Dad never did learn to read a financial statement—he relied instead on these friendships to do this for him. They were an integral part of his success. Dad also had the Midas touch on his side.
Terese: I spoke with someone who worked closely with Dad, and he talked about how as the founder of his own investment management firm, Dad demonstrated remarkable acumen in wealth creation for both him and his clients. He maintained an unwavering conviction in his investments, even in the face of adversity, embodying a powerful combination of patience and foresight. He understood that true value often takes time to materialize, and he possessed the fortitude to weather short-term volatility for long-term gains.
Chuck: Simply put, he loved his chosen profession. It wasn’t work to him. Two occasions come to mind: As was often the case on Sunday afternoons, I dropped by his house to watch whatever big sporting event was on. Over the course of this particular visit, seemingly out of nowhere, Dad said, ‘I love Sundays,’ to which I replied, ‘That’s nice, Dad, why is that?’ [And he said,] ‘Because tomorrow is Monday.’ He embodied that saying, ‘Love what you do, do what you love.’
Another moment that has always stayed with me: I was driving to work one morning, turned off of University Avenue onto Wellington Street, and as I rounded the corner, I looked up to see my dad—my 85-year-old dad—walking over to his office. I thought to myself, how great is that? It brought a smile to my face knowing he couldn’t wait to get to work.
When did philanthropy become important to your father?
Jill: Dad always donated to several charities every year, but it was later in life, after he witnessed some of his friends making sizable donations, that he decided it was something he was interested in doing also. He had had a very successful career and wanted to make an impact on the lives of others. I remember him saying philanthropy was contagious.
Terese: My father always had a strong interest in helping others who touched his life in meaningful ways. His own experiences with exceptional healthcare led to a desire to make a broader impact in the field. When he asked my daughter, a physician, which area of healthcare needed attention, she immediately responded, ‘Mental health.’ This was particularly close to home, as my son struggles with OCD and had faced significant challenges in accessing effective support.
Because he always liked personal connections in helping others, my father chose to direct his contributions to the doctor who was willing to work closely with my son. This physician specialized in OCD—a rare find—and my father was so grateful for the support she provided. He was eager to see how his donations could further her work and help others facing similar struggles. Over time, he witnessed the development of the centre, though not to the extent it has grown today. His commitment to improving mental health care has inspired others.
Chuck: My first recollection was Dad’s contribution to the burn unit at what was then the Wellesley Hospital in Toronto. His close friend Ed Odette [whose philanthropic causes included the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook and Odette Business School at the University of Windsor] had a strong influence on our father getting involved in philanthropy.
In working with your father on setting up the Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre, what challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
Terese and Jill: My father’s greatest concern was sustainability. He worried that eventually the funds would run out. However, thanks to the incredible team at the centre and excellent leadership from both the physician and the director, it is now supported by the Ministry of Health, which funds the beds in the residential program in perpetuity.
In your continued work as philanthropists, how do you teach the younger generations in your family to direct their passions towards initiatives?
Jill: I think the best way of teaching the next generation is by setting an example and talking about this with them. I certainly have been inspired by what Dad has done.
Terese: I try to lead by example and involve family members in our efforts to support the centre, particularly through the annual walk, held every June, to raise funds. This engagement not only fosters a sense of community, but also emphasizes the importance of contributing to a cause that means so much to us.
Chuck: Ideally, if we haven’t already, all of us and our kids can fully grasp what a difference our dad’s generosity has made to the lives of so many people. Cue to: we all need to keep paying it forward.
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