Arthur Irving, Chairman of Irving Oil, takes to the stage during the grand opening of the Halifax Harbor Terminal in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, on October 20, 2016. Irving, one of Canada's richest men and the son of Canadian businessman KC Irving, has died. On Monday, May 13, 2024, Irving Oil announced that he spent his life growing the oil business his father founded at the age of 93. (Canadian Press, Associated Press)
SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick (AP) — Arthur L. Irving, one of Canada's richest men and the son of businessman KC Irving, is helping grow the oil business founded by his father. He died at the age of 93 after spending his entire life there.
Irving Oil Co. said in a statement that he died Monday, surrounded by his wife, Sandra, and daughter, Sarah.
Forbes magazine named Arthur Irving one of the top 10 richest Canadians in 2023. At the time of his death, his estimated net worth was US$6.4 billion, which includes the New Brunswick refinery, which is Canada's largest along with Whitegate. Irish refinery.
Born in 1930, Irving attended Acadia University in Nova Scotia, dropping out in 1951 to join Irving Oil, where he worked alongside his father and two brothers.
“I had a choice: go to Acadia or learn about business from my father, who is the best teacher anywhere,” he told author Donald Savoie in a 2020 book about Irving Oil. Told. “I got the best teacher.”
He became president of the company in 1972 and was chairman emeritus at the time of his death.
His death comes as the company's Saint John refinery is undergoing a “strategic review” to determine its future as climate change prompts some countries to transition away from fossil fuels. I was disappointed.
Although his biographers credit Irving with successfully expanding his company, he also faced family difficulties, including a controversial divorce from his first wife in 1980 and more recently a separation from his eldest son. He lived a life full of life.
Journalist Jack Poitra wrote in his 2014 book Irving vs. Irving that when Irving stood at a St. John's press conference in August 2013 and announced that his company would officially begin bidding, However, no bids were made in the end. He successfully built a pipeline to carry crude oil from Alberta to his family's refinery.
Mr. Poitras noted that Mr. Kenneth, “his son and successor,” had been conspicuously absent since leaving the company in 2010 due to disagreements. His refinery loomed in the background…but the family was torn apart,” Poitras wrote.
In the 1980s and '90s, Arthur Irving's business life and interests were closely tied to his two brothers, JK and Jack, who had primary responsibility for various areas of their father's business empire. I did. The trucking company ran on the company's refined gasoline, the forestry and shipping industries used Irving's construction subsidiary, and the newspaper chain bought newspaper from nearby factories.
At the end of 2009, the Irving brothers separated their business interests, with Arthur assuming control of the energy business.
In a statement, the company called Mr. Irving a “steadfast advocate for Atlantic Canada and its people” and a unique individual.
“Those of us who have experienced this tremendous loss know that there will never be another like him.”
