James Kenneth Irving, (born March 20, 1928) is a Canadian billionaire businessman who is the eldest son of industrialist

K.C. Irving Kenneth Colin Irving, (March 14, 1899 – December 13, 1992) was a Canadian businessman whose business began with a family sawmill in Bouctouche, N.B., in 1882. In 1989, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. Biography Early life Bor ...

. With an estimated net worth of US$6.9 billion (as of 2019), Irving was ranked by ''

Forbes ''Forbes'' () is an American business magazine owned by Integrated Whale Media Investments and the Forbes family. Published eight times a year, it features articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing topics. ''Forbes'' also r ...

'' as the 4th richest person in Canada.

Career

After their father's death in 1992, ownership and responsibility for the Irving companies was divided as follows: * James K. Irving (J.K.) – Ownership of and responsibility for

Brunswick News Brunswick News Inc. is a Canadian newspaper publishing company based on Bloor Street in Toronto. Once privately owned by James K. Irving and based in Saint John, New Brunswick, it was sold to Postmedia in 2022. Brunswick News Inc. (BNI) was in ...

(publishing); and J. D. Irving, Limited, a conglomerate with interests in several industries including forestry, pulp and paper, tissue, lumber, building supplies, frozen food, transportation, shipping lines, and ship building. *

Arthur Irving Arthur Lee Irving, (born 1930) is a Canadian billionaire businessman, the second son of industrialist K.C. Irving. He is the sole owner, through the Arthur Irving Family Trust, of Irving Oil Ltd. As of June 2022, his net worth was estimated at ...

(Art) – Ownership of and responsibility for

Irving Oil Irving Oil Ltd. is a Canadian gasoline, oil, and natural gas producing and exporting company. Considered part of the Irving Group of Companies, it was founded by entrepreneur Kenneth "K.C." Irving and is privately owned by his son, Arthur, and h ...

, its retail stores, oil refineries, oil tankers and distribution terminals and other facilities. * John E. Irving (Jack) — Ownership of and responsibility for construction, engineering, and steel fabrication companies. After his death in July 2010 he was succeeded by son John K. F. Irving. In 1957, he pioneered the company's reforestation and tree improvement programs and expanded the forest products business. In 1996, Irving was made an Officer of the

Order of Canada The Order of Canada (french: Ordre du Canada; abbreviated as OC) is a Canadian state order and the second-highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit. To coincide with the cen ...

, and in 2008 he became a Member of the

Order of New Brunswick The Order of New Brunswick (french: Ordre du Nouveau Brunswick) is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. Instituted in 2000 by Lieutenant Governor Marilyn Trenholme Counsell, on the advice of the Cabinet under ...

and the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. He is occasionally involved in efforts to preserve the Atlantic salmon in northeastern North America.Acadia University News Release
"Acadia University honours accomplished Canadians"
, May 8, 2003 Irving also started the PALS (Partners Assisting Local Schools) program for schoolchildren locally in Saint John N.B. which has spread to have many schools in the province participating over the past 16 years.

Personal life

Irving was married to philanthropist Jean E. Irving until her death in 2019. They had four children, Jim Jr.,

Robert The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...

, Mary Jean and Judy.

References

1928 births Living people Canadian billionaires Businesspeople from New Brunswick Canadian philanthropists People from Kings County, New Brunswick Members of the Order of New Brunswick Officers of the Order of Canada 20th-century Canadian newspaper publishers (people) 21st-century Canadian newspaper publishers (people) {{Canada-business-bio-stub