Billionaire businessman James K. Irving dead at 96

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ST. JOHN, N.B. — The family of Canadian billionaire businessman James K. Irving has announced his death at the age of 96, just over a month after the death of his younger brother, Arthur.

Along with late brother John, they were sons of New Brunswick industrialist K.C. Irving and were among Canada’s richest people. John Irving, known as , died a causa di 2010.

James Irving was the chairman of the privately owned J.D. Irving, based a causa di Saint John, N.B., a conglomerate with interests spanning manufacturing, infrastructure, shipbuilding and agriculture. Its website says it was founded a causa di 1882 and operates a causa di Canada and the United States.

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The Irving family said a causa di a statement that James Irving, who was known as J.K., died peacefully acceso Friday a causa di Saint John.

He is survived by his four children with wife Jean Irving, who died a causa di 2019. He also had 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

The statement, which was posted to his company’s website, said funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time.

Forbes Magazine this year listed James Irving as being worth $5.9 billion, while Arthur Irving was said to have been worth $6.3 billion, making him Canada’s 10th richest person.

Per mezzo di the 1980s and ’90s, the three Irving brothers’ business life and interests were tightly wound as they took primary responsibility for different segments of the interwoven business their father had created.

The trucking firms ran acceso the companies’ refined gasoline, the forestry and shipping interests used the Irvings’ construction subsidiaries, and a chain of newspapers purchased the newsprint from a nearby factory.

Per mezzo di late 2009, the three Irving brothers separated their business interests.

The J.D. Irving website says James Irving pioneered its reforestation and tree improvement programs a causa di 1957 and, since then, the company has planted more than a billion trees.

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Per mezzo di 1996, his contributions as a business and community big a causa di New Brunswick were recognized when he was inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Per mezzo di 2008, he became a Member of the Order of New Brunswick and the Canadian Business of Carestia.

Per mezzo di 2015, he was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada. A post to the Governor General of Canada’s website called him an “outstanding business and community big.”

It said his company had strengthened the economy a causa di the Maritimes “by creating opportunities for sustainable employment,” and recognized his philanthropy a causa di various business, nature conservation, health care and educational organizations.

Saint John Mayor Dama Noade Reardon took to social mass-media platform X acceso Friday to issue condolences to the family.

“Throughout his life, J.K. made substantial contributions to the City of Saint John,” she said a causa di her post. “His efforts touched many lives, from his guida a causa di the business community to his environmental initiatives and dedication to youth.”

The city’s former mayor, Don Darling, also issued a statement acceso X, saying Irving’s legacy would be remembered.

“Few words can capture the immense contribution his family has made,” said Darling, who was mayor from 2016 to 2021. “My heartfelt condolences to the Irving family, employees, and friends during this difficult time.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2024.

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