Arthur Irving

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Arthur Irving
OC ONB
Born
Arthur Lee Irving

(1930-07-14)July 14, 1930
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
DiedMay 13, 2024(2024-05-13) (aged 93)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
EducationAcadia University (dropped out)
Alma materUniversity of New Brunswick (D.Litt., 2009)
Occupations
  • Businessman
  • chancellor
Known forOwning Irving Oil
Spouses
Joan Carlisle Irving
​
​
(div. 1980)​
Sandra Ring
​
(after 1980)​
Children5, including Sarah Irving
ParentK. C. Irving
Relatives

Arthur Lee Irving OC ONB (July 14, 1930 – May 13, 2024) was a Canadian billionaire businessman, the second son of industrialist K. C. Irving of the Irving family. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Irving served as the president of Irving Oil, of which he later became the sole owner through the Arthur Irving Family Trust. By the time of his death, his net worth was estimated between US$6.4 billion and US$9.8 billion.

Additionally, Irving served as the chancellor of Acadia University between 1996 and 2010, where he previously attended before dropping out to pursue the family-owned industry. Irving was also a longtime board member of Ducks Unlimited Canada. Throughout his lifetime, Irving received multiple honours and awards, including the Order of New Brunswick as well as the Order of Canada. He additionally received an honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of New Brunswick.

Biography[edit]

Arthur Irving was born on July 14, 1930[1] in Saint John, New Brunswick, the second son of industrialist K. C. Irving.[2] His mother, Harriet Lila Irving (née MacNarin), was from Galloway in Kent County.[3] Irving attended the Winter Street School as well as the Rothesay Collegiate School.[4] He was later temporarily enrolled at Acadia University,[2] of which he later served as chancellor between 1996 and 2010,[5] though he later dropped out to pursue work in the family industry.[6] In 1951, he began working at Irving Oil, later becoming its president in 1972,[7] following the retirement of his father.[6]

Irving spent over three decades on Ducks Unlimited Canada's board of directors,[8] additionally being president between 1986 and 1987.[9]

Following their father's death in 1992, ownership and responsibility for the Irving companies were divided amongst Irving along with his brothers James and Jack. Irving Oil's responsibility was passed to Irving, which included its gas stations, oil refineries,[10] oil tankers, distribution terminals and other facilities,[11] while a portion of the company's stake was given to Jack, which his family later sold to the Arthur Irving Family Trust in 2018.[12]

While serving as its chancellor, Irving, along with his two brothers, donated two facilities to Acadia University in 2002: the K. C. Irving Environmental Science Centre, as well as the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens.[13][14] In 2012, in partnership with Acadia University and Ducks Unlimited Canada, Irving established the Beaubassin Research Station in Aulac.[15] In 2016, Dartmouth accepted $80 million from the Irving family to set up the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society.[16][2]

Until October 2023, Irving served as the Irving Oil board of directors' chairman,[17] though he continued to work in the business until his death.[7] His stepping down came amidst a "strategic review of the company's future" announced earlier in June 2023, in which there was mention that the review "could lead to its full or partial sale."[18]

Awards[edit]

In 2002, Irving was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, and in 2012, he was made a member of the Order of New Brunswick.[19] In November 2007, Irving was inducted into the 2008 Canadian Business Hall of Fame along with his two brothers.[20] The following year, both Irving and his wife received honorary Doctor of Letters degrees by the University of New Brunswick.[21] In 2013, Irving was New Brunswick's inductee for the Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian Award.[8] In 2019, Irving received the Paul Harris Fellowship honoured by Rotary International.[22]

Personal life and death[edit]

Irving was previously married to Joan Carlisle.[1] They had four children until divorcing in 1980. His second marriage was with Sandra Ring, with whom he had a daughter, Sarah Irving.[23] Irving lived in Saint John while additionally owning a residence in Boston, Massachusetts.[23]

On May 13, 2024, Irving died from cancer at the age of 93,[4][24] at the Massachusetts General Hospital.[25] By the time of his death, Forbes had estimated his net worth being at US$6.4 billion,[10] while Bloomberg estimated his net worth at US$9.8 billion.[23] His funeral took place in Saint John.[25]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Poitras, Jacques (May 13, 2024). "Billionaire businessman Arthur Irving dead at 93". CBC News New Brunswick. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "About the Donors – The Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society". irving.dartmouth.edu. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  3. ^ "About the Irvings". Acadia University. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Obituary for Arthur L. Irving". Irving Oil. May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  5. ^ Mott, Sean (May 13, 2024). "Irving Oil former president dies at age 93". CTV Atlantic. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Canada's corporate elite 1998: ninth annual review of leaders and leadership". Financial Post. November 1998. ProQuest 223887839. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Irving Oil announces the passing of its Chairman Emeritus, Arthur L. Irving". Irving Oil. May 13, 2024. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Arthur Irving to receive Red Cross Humanitarian Award". The Daily Gleaner. June 4, 2013. ProQuest 1362335705. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  9. ^ Mazerolle, Brant (September 10, 2013). "N.B. man named president of Ducks Unlimited Canada". The Daily Gleaner. ProQuest 1430989718. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Arthur Irving". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  11. ^ "About Us | Irving Oil". www.irvingoil.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  12. ^ Poitras, Jacques (June 1, 2018). "Jack Irving's family sells stake in major Irving Oil shakeup". CBC News. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  13. ^ Acadiau.Ca Archived June 7, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ "Irvings give university new centre". The Daily Gleaner. September 18, 2002. ProQuest 412849766. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  15. ^ Mackenzie, Amy (September 1, 2012). "Researchers to study benefits of wetlands". Telegraph-Journal. ProQuest 1037496496. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  16. ^ "Announcing the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society – Dartmouth News". news.dartmouth.edu. September 16, 2016. Archived from the original on September 20, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  17. ^ Kirby, Jason (May 13, 2024). "Irving Oil owner Arthur Irving dead at 93". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  18. ^ Brice, Mcvicar (February 28, 2024). "Ian Whitcomb stepping down as Irving Oil president". The Daily Gleaner. ProQuest 2932728901. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  19. ^ "2012 Order of New Brunswick recipients". Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  20. ^ "Irvings among 6 named to Business Hall of Fame". Toronto Star. November 20, 2007. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  21. ^ "About Sandra Irving". University of New Brunswick. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  22. ^ Hewitt, Fallon (May 25, 2019). "Unmatched devotion: N.B. business titans being honoured with fellowship". Times & Transcript. ProQuest 2229821042. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c "Arthur Irving". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  24. ^ Perry, Brad (May 13, 2024). "Businessman Arthur Irving dies at age 93". CJLS-FM. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Obituary of Arthur L. Irving". Brenan's Paradise Row Funeral Home. Retrieved May 15, 2024.

Further reading[edit]

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