(Saint John) The family of Canadian billionaire businessman James K. Irving announced his death at the age of 96, a little more than a month after the death of his younger brother, Arthur.
Updated yesterday at 9:47 p.m.
Along with his late brother John, they were the sons of New Brunswick industrialist KC Irving and were among Canada’s wealthiest people.
James Irving was president of the privately held JD Irving, based in Saint John, New Brunswick, a conglomerate with interests spanning manufacturing, infrastructure, shipbuilding and agriculture. Its website states that it was founded in 1882 and operates in Canada and the United States.
The Irving family said in a statement that James Irving, known as JK, died peacefully Friday in Saint John.
He is survived by his four children, while his wife, Jean Irving, died in 2019. He also had 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
The statement, which was published on his company’s website, said funeral arrangements would be announced at a later date.
This year, the magazine Forbes listed James Irving as worth US5.6 billion (around CAN7.7 billion), while Arthur Irving was worth US6.3 billion (just over CAN8.6 billion), making him the 10e richest person in Canada.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the professional lives and interests of the three Irving brothers were intertwined as they assumed primary responsibility for different intertwined segments of the business empire their father had created.
Trucking companies ran on the empire’s refined gasoline, logging and shipping interests used the Irvings’ construction subsidiaries, and a newspaper chain bought newsprint from a nearby mill.
In late 2009, the three Irving brothers separated their business interests.
The JD Irving website states that James Irving pioneered its reforestation and tree breeding programs in 1957, and since then the company has planted more than a billion trees.
In 1996, his contributions as a business and community leader in New Brunswick were recognized when he was inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada.
In 2008, he was made a member of the Order of New Brunswick and the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.
In 2015, he was inducted into the Order of Canada. An article published on the Governor General of Canada’s website called him an “outstanding business and community leader.”
He says his company has strengthened the Maritime economy “by creating sustainable employment opportunities” and recognizes its philanthropic work with various business, conservation, health care and education organizations.
On Friday, Saint-Jean Mayor Donna Noade Reardon took to the X platform to offer her condolences to the family.
“Throughout his life, JK made a substantial contribution to the city of Saint John,” she wrote in her message. “His efforts touched many lives, from his leadership in the business world to his environmental initiatives and his dedication to youth. »
The city’s former mayor, Don Darling, also released a statement on X, saying that Irving’s legacy would be remembered.
“Few words can express the immense contribution of his family,” said Mr. Darling, who served as mayor from 2016 to 2021. “My deepest condolences to the Irving family, employees and friends during this difficult time. »
