“Barry had such an impact on so many people. Since his passing, I feel I am a different person. I don’t let anything bother me anymore.”
Barry and Honey Sherman were buried in a Jewish cemetery in the north end of Toronto. Their headstone is identical in size and shape to the other headstones in the cemetery, but where others refer simply to “loving parents,” or “much-beloved mother and father,” the Barry and Honey stone highlights their legacy of service. “Mom and Dad were beloved leaders and members of our community, and they are dearly missed by all who knew and loved them.” The home where the Shermans lived and died, at 50 Old Colony Rd., was the subject of an application to the city in early 2019. The Sherman family had asked for and obtained permission to demolish the house due to the “bad memories and a stigma attached due to the incident that took place.” The Toronto Police were aware of this development but took no position on the plan, as they had returned the home to the family long before. Construction hoarding went up around the home and in May 2019, excavators tore the house down, filling in the outdoor pool and the basement lap pool where their bodies were found. The property was graded flat and the family plans to sell it as a building lot. Whatever clues to the murder the home might hold are now buried forever.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
A word about the sources in this book. While I have tried to name the source of information in each case, there are some instances where, to protect a confidential source, I have not named the individual. In an ideal world, all of the more than two hundred people I spoke to would have provided information on the record. But in a case that deals with murder, money, and often great acrimony, that, unsurprisingly, did not happen. Where conversations are presented, typically conversations people had with the late Barry and Honey Sherman, the most accurate recollection of the dialogue has been provided by the other party or parties to the conversation. In an effort to be as responsible as possible in providing an accurate account of the Sherman story, I have put contentious issues to individuals and given them weeks and sometimes months to respond. In most cases, people provided their side of the story. In others, including the Toronto Police and several individuals, I either received no comment or was told that to speak about any part of the case would hurt the ongoing investigation. While I did communicate with various members of the Sherman extended family, both directly and in some cases through intermediaries, some simply refused to give interviews. For example, lawyer Brian Greenspan wrote to me in July 2019 saying that both Lauren and Kaelen Sherman had elected not to provide an interview. Like their brother, their responses to my numerous questions would instead be sent to the Toronto Police.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I had only heard the names Barry and Honey Sherman in passing prior to their murders on December 13, 2017. In the almost two years that I have been immersed in this project, I have had the privilege of getting to know them through a large cast of characters that included friends and family members who generously shared their stories, both happy and sad, about the couple. I cannot publicly acknowledge everyone because they are too numerous and because some gave assistance behind the scenes. But I do want to give a heartfelt thanks to some key people who risked speaking about topics that were both painful and secret.
In the early days, Aubrey Dan, Linda Frum, and Frank D’Angelo provided background information and went out of their way to help me understand the complexities of the Sherman family. They also connected me to others who otherwise might not have spoken to a journalist. Jack Kay, Harry Radomski, Jeremy Desai, among others, taught me about generic drugs and the passion Barry Sherman brought to all of his ventures. Bryna and Fred Steiner, lifelong friends of Barry and Honey, were gracious about my many queries. Joel Ulster and Ulster family members were open and honest, and I thank them for sharing their memories, painful though it almost always was. Joel’s recollections of his and Barry’s high school days and early business ventures seemed to help him deal with the shock of losing his best friend.
Many of the executives and staff at Apotex, including Jordan Berman, were helpful. So too were Dr. Jim Cairns, Brian King, Celia Pasternak, and many others—in more ways than I can describe. I would also like to acknowledge people in the justice system who patiently allowed a non-lawyer to enter their world. Among them, crown attorney Peter Scrutton, Justices David Doherty, Leslie Pringle, and Sean Dunphy, and lawyers Tim Youdan and Chantelle Cseh.
Thanks to my wonderful agents, Samantha Haywood and Jesse Finkelstein of Transatlantic Agency, who helped negotiate this commissioned project with Penguin Random House Canada and were enthusiastic supporters from the beginning.
The Penguin Canada team, led by Publishing Director Diane Turbide, was truly terrific, providing encouragement and a steady hand throughout. Assistant Editor Justin Stoller put up with many changes and additions with subject matter that was ever changing. Copy editor Alex Schultz was, to use the title of the Tina Turner song, “simply the best.” Thanks to Managing Editor David Ross and to proofreader Karen Alliston whose sharp eyes and attention to detail ensured accuracy and consistency.
There would be no book without the support of the Toronto Star and its many talented leaders, chief among them Editor-in-Chief Irene Gentle and our former boss Michael Cooke. A big shout-out to librarians Astrid Lange and Rick Sznajder for help in piecing together the labyrinth of corporate and property records. My mentor and long-time lawyer Bert Bruser offered advice, encouragement, and toughness at every step. To Iris Fischer, my lawyer on this book and many of my investigations: thank you for making them right and sharp.
And a big thank you to the person I discuss life and crime with more than anyone else—my wife, Kelly Smith.
Barry Sherman relaxing at the home of Joel and Cindy Ulster, early 1970s.
Honey Sherman mugging for the camera before departing on Polar Bear Express train voyage with Barry, Joel Ulster, and Michael Hertzman, 1974.
Barry and Honey smoking cigars prior to embarking on Polar Bear Express train voyage in northern Ontario, 1974.
Barry and Honey, mid 1970s.
Good friends and business partners Joel Ulster, Fred Steiner, and Barry Sherman in Toronto, 1983. By this time Ulster was living in New York but the trio maintained close contact.
Sherman family, mid 1990s. Foreground: Kaelen, Honey, and Alex. Rear: Lauren, Barry, and Jonathon.
Lou and Beverly Winter’s children on holiday in Spain in 1965. From left to right: Dana, Jeffrey, Kerry, and Tim.
Barry and Honey Sherman in the backyard of the 50 Old Colony Rd. home after playing tennis, early 1990s.
Toronto dinner party in advance of launch of Frank D’Angelo movie Real Gangsters. Starting from left, Honey Sherman, Barry Sherman, Frank D’Angelo, actors Michael Pare, and Robert Mangiardi. On right side, guests include actors Robert Loggia (second) and Tony Rosato (third), and at the far end of the table is Canadian boxing great George Chuvalo.
Barry and Honey Sherman, Bryna and Fred Steiner, in Florida at Fred’s 70th birthday party, 2009.
Honey Sherman, Dahlia Solomon, and Anita Franklin at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina, November, 2017, one month before Honey and Barry were murdered.
Jack Kay and Barry Sherman in Apotex laboratories, 1999.
(Credit: Dave Cooper, Toronto Star)
Flower memorial at Barry Sherman’s parking space at Apotex head quarters in Toronto in July, 2018, seven months after the murders.
(Credit: Kevin Donovan)
Fred Mercure and husband Jonathon Sherman in public Facebook post from 2014, hiking in the Yukon.
Jonathon Sherman speaking to 7,000 people at his parents’ funeral at the International Centre in Mississauga on December 21, 2017. Sister Lauren on the left, and sisters Kaelen and Alex on the right.
(Photo taken from live public video strea
m of funeral.)
Barry and granddaughter (daughter of Alex and Brad) on December 7, 2017, a week before the murders.
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