New Brunswick business tycoon J.K. Irving dies at 96

Article content

New Brunswick industrialist James K. (J.K.) Irving has died at the age of 96.

Irving – the eldest and last living son of K.C. Irving – died Friday in Saint John, according to a statement issued on behalf of the family.

He was the chairman of Saint John-headquartered J.D. Irving, Limited, a conglomerate made up of businesses in forestry, wood products, agriculture, construction, shipbuilding, logistics and transportation, among other sectors.

Article content

J.D. Irving, Limited also once owned Brunswick News, publisher of the Telegraph-Journal, Daily Gleaner, Times & Transcript, and other New Brunswick newspapers, before divesting the company’s media assets in 2022.

J.K. Irving took over a diverse group of businesses from his father K.C. Irving, while his brother Arthur took over the oil refining and distribution piece of the industrial empire. A third brother, Jack, took over construction, engineering, real estate and radio companies.

J.K. Irving’s sons, Jim and Robert Irving, are today the co-CEOs of J.D. Irving, Limited, with Jim heading the Saint John-based operation and Robert the Moncton-based operation.

“J.K. leaves an enduring legacy which will live on through the lives of his loved ones and his company’s employees across New Brunswick, Canada and internationally,” Premier Blaine Higgs said in a statement Friday night.

Last month, Arthur Irving – K.C.’s middle son and the former president of Irving Oil – died at the age of 93. Businessman Jack Irving – K.C.’s youngest son – died in July 2010 at age 78.

Article content

Article content

“It does really feel like the passing of an era, and their combined impact is very big, not just for New Brunswick but in the Canadian context,” Jack’s son John Irving, president of Ocean Capital Holdings Limited, said in an interview about his uncle Friday night.

“They had a belief in trying to make things better and they had a commitment to community.”

Known for his love of the woods, J.K. Irving was passionate about environmental conservation. He was proud of J.D. Irving, Limited’s reforestation programs, resulting in the planting of more than one billion trees, according to his nephew John.

Irving was also passionate about addressing poverty.

“(Mr. Irving) was a key leader in our Liberal government’s poverty reduction initiative,” former New Brunswick premier Shawn Graham said in a statement Friday. “And it was this passion I witnessed firsthand, visiting the community programs he funded, to help children receive the best start in life.”

Irving founded PALS (Partners Assisting Local Schools), an organization focused on breaking the cycle of poverty in Saint John’s priority neighbourhoods. More than 30 schools and more than 150 partners are now part of this program that started with one school and one partner.

Article content

“His efforts touched many lives, from his leadership in the business community to his environmental initiatives and dedication to youth,” Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

Forbes Magazine, on its website Real Time Billionaire, estimates Irving’s wealth at $5.5 billion. According to the magazine’s calculations, he was the world’s 549th richest person as of Friday.

J.K. Irving was predeceased by his wife, Mrs. Jean Irving. He is survived by their children, Jim, Robert, Mary-Jean and Judith, along with 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are to be announced at a later date.

Article content