SAINT JOHN, N.B. — Hundreds of politicians, business leaders and average New Brunswickers gathered in a Saint John church Saturday to pay their final respects to business magnate and philanthropist John E. (Jack) Irving.
Irving, the youngest son of Irving Oil founder K.C. Irving and one of Canada’s wealthiest men, died Wednesday following a brief undisclosed illness at the age of 78.
Rev. Stuart Allan described Irving as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Allan told those gathered at Trinity Anglican church that while Irving’s business acumen was celebrated, one of his proudest moments was being awarded the Order of Canada, because it was an honour bestowed by his country.
“He was a proud Maritimer and a very proud Canadian,” Allan said, adding that Irving was also a champion of the environment who cared deeply for his family.
While none of the family members spoke during the service, Allan read some comments from Irving’s wife Suzanne in which she spoke of their 50-year marriage.
“Jack more than fulfilled my expectations,” she wrote. “He gave me a wonderful life.”
Irving is also survived by three children and six grandchildren.
He was regarded as the quiet one of the three Irving brothers who helped expand family interests from humble beginnings into a global empire.
In 1952, at his father’s request, he joined his family’s businesses where he worked alongside his brother Arthur at Irving Oil. He began managing construction and engineering projects, including retail outlets, bulk plants, and other major infrastructure.
He was a director of all of Irving’s varied businesses, including lumber, oil, construction, transportation and newspapers.
Canadian Business magazine estimated the accumulated wealth of the three brothers at more than $7 billion in 2009.
The pews were filled with a who’s who of New Brunswick and Canadian business — with names such as McCain, Oland and Simms.
Derek Oland, executive chairman of Moosehead Breweries Ltd., said he and Irving were friends for about 55 years.
He said Irving had the right qualities to be part of a family run business.
“You have to have introspection as well as drive, and that’s what he provided,” Oland said.
New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham said Irving’s impact on the province will be felt for generations.
“He employed thousands of New Brunswickers and that will be the lasting legacy that Mr. Irving will bring to the people of New Brunswick.”
Former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna said Irving left a lasting mark on the province he loved through business and through his support for education, the arts and the restoration of heritage properties.
“He was part of an extraordinary exercise in entrepreneurship. He was one of the principles of the Irving enterprise who accomplished so much in this community and across the province, and he’s a member of a family who never lost their sense of community or their roots,” McKenna said.
“He was able to achieve greatness and maintained humility and a gentleness and a respect that everybody found very attractive.”