Ballet Jörgen Canada mourns the death of Lyman Henderson, an extraordinary patron, a close personal friend and one of the company’s most passionate advocates, who passed away on Friday, June 22 in Toronto, Ontario at the age of 91.

“With the passing of Lyman Ballet Jörgen Canada has lost a member of the family. Lyman together with his late wife Ann were the very first two people to support my choreographic vision and the creation of Ballet Jörgen Canada. Their extraordinary generosity and unwavering support became a cornerstone for the company’s development. Lyman was a close personal friend who helped guide me on many occasions. A stalwart at every event and performance Lyman was adored by our dancers for his amazing spirit and commitment to the arts. We will miss him deeply and we extend our warmest sympathies to his children Antonia, Buchanan, Victoria and Marion and his extended family. Never late and always with a spring in his step we wish him well on his next journey and as Lyman would say God Bless!” - Bengt Jörgen, Artistic Director

For over 24 years Lyman Henderson together with his late wife Ann supported and helped build Ballet Jörgen Canada into the dynamic and large arts organization it is today. They were in the forefront and instrumental in getting many of the company’s major productions off the ground. For many years they hosted the company’s annual picnics at their beloved home “Windbourne” north of Toronto. In 2009 after the passing of Ann, Lyman honoured the company by commissioning a new ballet Life and Laughter in her memory. Lyman Henderson most recently became one of the lead sponsors of Ballet Jörgen Canada’s 25th Anniversary ballet – Swan Lake.

In addition to Ballet Jörgen Canada, The National Ballet of Canada, The McMichael Canadian Art Collection, The National Ballet School, Famous People Players, Queen of Pudding Music Theatre, Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, The Banff Centre for the Arts, Canadian Opera Company, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Shaw Festival, among others, have been equally touched by Lyman’s commitment to the arts in Canada.