Raise a double-double to Ron.

(Canadian Press)

The co-founder of the Tim Hortons empire, Ron Joyce, has died at his home in Burlington.

Joyce left his Nova Scotia home at the age of 15 and moved to Hamilton where he served in the navy and later became a police officer before getting into the coffee shop business.

Maple Leafs defenceman Tim Horton opened his first store in Hamilton in 1964.

(Tim Hortons)

When Horton decided to expand, he chose Joyce as the first franchisee.

(Tim Hortons)

After Horton died in a car crash in 1974, Joyce took full control, overseeing its growth into a Canadian business icon.

Joyce also started the Tim Hortons Children’s Foundaton in his memory to send children from low-income familes to summer camp.

He was named a member of the Order of Canda in 1992 for his work with children.

Joyce sold Tim Hortons to Wendy’s International in 1996 in a deal worth $400-million.

Tims was then bought by Burger King five years ago for $12-billion.

There are more than 4,500 Tim Hortons locations around the world, including 3,600 in Canada.