Samuel Bronfman — whose surname means “liquor man” in Yiddish — was a legendary figure in the liquor business.
Born in Russia in 1889, Bronfman and his family fled anti-Semitic pogroms to make their home in Canada. They settled in Wapella, Sask., before moving to Manitoba where the family bought a hotel business. While working there, Bronfman recognized the potential of the alcohol business and founded Distillers Corporation in Montreal in 1924.
Four years later, he purchased rival distiller Joseph E. Seagram and Sons and the firm became the Seagram Company.
Once the world’s largest distilling firm, Seagram had many links with Saskatchewan. Over the years, the Bronfman family owned businesses in Yorkton and Regina.
And, in part because of the Bronfman’s family ties to the West, small Saskatchewan towns near the U.S. border were ideal for the family’s bootlegging operations into the United States during Prohibition in the 1920s.
In later years, Bronfman is said to have blended 600 samples of whiskey before creating the prestigious Crown Royal brand in honour of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Canada in 1939.
Circa 1938 file photo of Seagrams head Samuel Bronfman with sons Edgar (left) and Charles (right) in his office.
Bronfman’s descendants remained with the Seagram Company until 2000 when the company’s assets were sold to the Vivendi Group and Pernod Ricard.
The philanthropist established arts centres and museums in Canada, the U.S. and Israel. In recognition for Bronfman’s community works, he was inducted into the Order of Canada in 1967.
Bronfman served as president of the Canadian Jewish Congress from 1938 to 1962 and was honourary vice-president of the World Jewish Congress at the time of his death in Montreal on July 10, 1971.
As we celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, the Leader-Post and StarPhoenix are telling the stories of 150 Saskatchewan people who helped shape the nation. Send your suggestions or feedback to sask150@postmedia.com.
