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Arthur Irving
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{{Short description|Canadian billionaire businessman (1930β2024)}} {{Use Canadian English|date=January 2011}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Arthur Irving | image = Arthur Irving.jpg | honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|OC|ONB|size=100%}} | birth_name = Arthur Lee Irving | birth_date = {{Birth date|1930|7|14}} | birth_place = [[Saint John, New Brunswick]], Canada | death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|5|13|1930|7|14}} | death_place = [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], U.S. | education = [[Acadia University]] (dropped out) | alma_mater = | occupation = {{hlist|Businessman|chancellor}} | known_for = Owning [[Irving Oil]] | spouse = {{plainlist| * {{marriage|Joan Carlisle Irving||1980|end=div}} * {{marriage|Sandra Ring|1980|reason=}} }} | parents = [[Kenneth Colin Irving|K. C. Irving]] | children = 5, including [[Sarah Irving]] | relatives = {{Plain list| * [[James K. Irving]] (brother) * [[John E. Irving]] (brother) }} }} '''Arthur Lee Irving''' {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|OC|ONB}} (July 14, 1930 β May 13, 2024) was a Canadian [[billionaire]] businessman, the second son of industrialist [[Kenneth Colin Irving|K. C. Irving]] of the [[Irving Family (New Brunswick)|Irving family]]. Born in [[Saint John, New Brunswick|Saint John]], [[New Brunswick]], Irving was the president of [[Irving Oil]], and later became its sole owner through the Arthur Irving Family Trust. By the time of his death, his net worth was estimated between {{USD|6.4 billion}} and {{USD|9.8 billion}}. Additionally, Irving served as the [[Chancellor (education)|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]]. Irving received honours and awards including the [[Order of New Brunswick]] and the [[Order of Canada]]. ==Biography== Arthur Irving was born on July 14, 1930<ref name="CBC-death">{{cite news |last=Poitras |first=Jacques |authorlink=Jacques Poitras |title=Billionaire businessman Arthur Irving dead at 93 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/arthur-irving-death-1.7202701 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=CBC News New Brunswick |date=May 13, 2024 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513174923/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/arthur-irving-death-1.7202701 |url-status=live }}</ref> in [[Saint John, New Brunswick|Saint John]], [[New Brunswick]], the second son of industrialist K. C. Irving.<ref name="dartmouth.edu">{{cite web|url=https://irving.dartmouth.edu/about-institute/about-donors|title=About the Donors β The Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society|website=irving.dartmouth.edu|accessdate=June 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930174747/http://irving.dartmouth.edu/about-institute/about-donors|archive-date=September 30, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> His mother, Harriet Lila Irving ({{nee|MacNarin}}), was from Galloway in [[Kent County, New Brunswick|Kent County]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Irvings |url=https://kcirvingcentre.acadiau.ca/about/about-the-irvings/ |website=[[Acadia University]] |access-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513031014/https://kcirvingcentre.acadiau.ca/about/about-the-irvings/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Irving attended the Winter Street School as well as the [[Rothesay Collegiate School]].<ref name="IrvingObituary2">{{cite web |title=Obituary for Arthur L. Irving |url=https://www.irvingoil.com/en-US/press-room/obituary-for-arthur-l-irving |website=[[Irving Oil]] |access-date=May 16, 2024 |date=May 14, 2024}}</ref> He was later temporarily enrolled at [[Acadia University]],<ref name="dartmouth.edu"/> of which he later served as [[Chancellor (education)|chancellor]] between 1996 and 2010,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mott |first1=Sean |title=Irving Oil former president dies at age 93 |url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/more/irving-oil-former-president-dies-at-age-93-1.6884961 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=[[CTV Atlantic]] |date=May 13, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513193135/https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/more/irving-oil-former-president-dies-at-age-93-1.6884961 |url-status=live }}</ref> though he later dropped out to pursue work in the family industry.<ref name="FinancialPost1998">{{cite news |title=Canada's corporate elite 1998: ninth annual review of leaders and leadership |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/223887839 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=[[Financial Post]] |date=November 1998 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513194325/https://www.proquest.com/docview/223887839/9DA8F4822DFC4175PQ/3 |id={{ProQuest|223887839}} |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1951, he began working at [[Irving Oil]], later becoming its president in 1972,<ref name="IrvingObituary">{{cite news |title=Irving Oil announces the passing of its Chairman Emeritus, Arthur L. Irving |url=https://www.irvingoil.com/en-CA/press-room/irving-oil-announces-the-passing-its-chairman-emeritus-arthur-l-irving |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=[[Irving Oil]] |date=May 13, 2024 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513171617/https://www.irvingoil.com/en-CA/press-room/irving-oil-announces-the-passing-its-chairman-emeritus-arthur-l-irving |url-status=live }}</ref> following the retirement of his father.<ref name="FinancialPost1998"/> Irving spent over three decades on [[Ducks Unlimited Canada]]'s [[board of directors]],<ref name="RedCross-Gleaner">{{cite news |title=Arthur Irving to receive Red Cross Humanitarian Award |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1362335705 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=[[The Daily Gleaner]] |date=June 4, 2013 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513183447/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1362335705/5FB7E4EB763245B5PQ/5 |id={{ProQuest|1362335705}} |url-status=live }}</ref> and was president from 1986 to1987.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mazerolle |first1=Brant |title=N.B. man named president of Ducks Unlimited Canada |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1430989718 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=[[The Daily Gleaner]] |date=September 10, 2013 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513194321/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1430989718/FFC7219E17024897PQ/4 |id={{ProQuest|1430989718}} |url-status=live }}</ref> Following their father's death in 1992, ownership and responsibility for the Irving companies were divided amongst Irving along with his brothers [[James K. Irving|James]] and [[John E. Irving|Jack]]. Irving Oil's responsibility was passed to Irving, which included its [[gas station]]s, [[oil refineries]],<ref name="ForbesProfile"/> oil tankers, distribution terminals and other facilities,<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us {{!}} Irving Oil |url=https://www.irvingoil.com/en-US/discover-irving/about-us |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=www.irvingoil.com |archive-date=April 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407185530/https://www.irvingoil.com/en-US/discover-irving/about-us |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="CBC-2018Sale">{{cite news |last1=Poitras |first1=Jacques |author1-link=Jacques Poitras |title=Jack Irving's family sells stake in major Irving Oil shakeup |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/irving-oil-jack-irving-buyout-1.4688059 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=[[CBC News]] |date=June 1, 2018 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513205533/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/irving-oil-jack-irving-buyout-1.4688059 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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]].<ref>[http://www.acadiau.ca/whatsnew/newsrelease/2003/spring_convoc_07may03.html Acadiau.Ca] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607135047/http://www.acadiau.ca/whatsnew/newsrelease/2003/spring_convoc_07may03.html |date=June 7, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Irvings give university new centre |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/412849766 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=[[The Daily Gleaner]] |date=September 18, 2002 |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514210554/https://www.proquest.com/docview/412849766/5FB7E4EB763245B5PQ/8 |id={{ProQuest|412849766}} |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2012, in partnership with Acadia University and Ducks Unlimited Canada, Irving established the Beaubassin Research Station in [[Aulac, New Brunswick|Aulac]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mackenzie |first1=Amy |title=Researchers to study benefits of wetlands |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1037496496 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |work=[[Telegraph-Journal]] |date=September 1, 2012|id={{ProQuest|1037496496}} }}</ref> In 2016, [[Dartmouth College|Dartmouth]] accepted $80 million from the Irving family to set up the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society.<ref>{{cite web|title=Announcing the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society β Dartmouth News|url=https://news.dartmouth.edu/news/2016/09/announcing-arthur-l-irving-institute-energy-and-society|website=news.dartmouth.edu|date=September 16, 2016 |accessdate=June 29, 2018|archive-date=September 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920084211/https://news.dartmouth.edu/news/2016/09/announcing-arthur-l-irving-institute-energy-and-society|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dartmouth.edu" /> Until October 2023, Irving served as the [[Irving Oil]] board of directors' chairman,<ref name="GlobeAndMailDeath">{{cite news |last1=Kirby |first1=Jason |title=Irving Oil owner Arthur Irving dead at 93 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-irving-oil-owner-arthur-irving-dead-at-93/ |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=May 13, 2024 |language=en-CA |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513171232/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-irving-oil-owner-arthur-irving-dead-at-93/ |url-status=live }}</ref> though he continued to work in the business until his death.<ref name="IrvingObituary"/> 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."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brice |first1=Mcvicar |title=Ian Whitcomb stepping down as Irving Oil president |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2932728901 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=[[The Daily Gleaner]] |date=February 28, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514210556/https://www.proquest.com/docview/2932728901/81778FEAA0AD4517PQ/11 |id={{ProQuest|2932728901}} |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Awards== 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/order_of_new_brunswick/2012_recipients.html|title=2012 Order of New Brunswick recipients|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327195906/https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/order_of_new_brunswick/2012_recipients.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In November 2007, Irving was inducted into the 2008 [[Canadian Business Hall of Fame]] along with his two brothers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Irvings among 6 named to Business Hall of Fame |url=https://www.thestar.com/business/irvings-among-6-named-to-business-hall-of-fame/article_f29172de-941b-5291-b899-42776025a2e5.html |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=[[Toronto Star]] |date=November 20, 2007 |language=en |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513183446/https://www.thestar.com/business/irvings-among-6-named-to-business-hall-of-fame/article_f29172de-941b-5291-b899-42776025a2e5.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The following year, both Irving and his wife received [[Honorary degree|honorary]] [[Doctor of Letters]] degrees by the [[University of New Brunswick]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About Sandra Irving |url=https://www.unb.ca/giving/impact/scholarships/sandrairving/about-sandra-irving.html |website=[[University of New Brunswick]] |access-date=May 13, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513191737/https://www.unb.ca/giving/impact/scholarships/sandrairving/about-sandra-irving.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, Irving was New Brunswick's inductee for the [[Canadian Red Cross]] Humanitarian Award.<ref name="RedCross-Gleaner"/> In 2019, Irving received the [[Paul Harris Fellowship]] honoured by [[Rotary International]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hewitt |first1=Fallon |title=Unmatched devotion: N.B. business titans being honoured with fellowship |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2229821042 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=[[Times & Transcript]] |date=May 25, 2019 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513191736/https://www.proquest.com/docview/2229821042/5FB7E4EB763245B5PQ/27 |id={{ProQuest|2229821042}} |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Personal life and death== Irving was married to Joan Carlisle.<ref name="CBC-death"/> They had four children before divorcing in 1980. His second marriage was with Sandra Ring, with whom he had a daughter, [[Sarah Irving]].<ref name="Bloomberg-profile">{{cite web |title=Arthur Irving |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/arthur-l-irving/ |publisher=[[Bloomberg (website)|Bloomberg]] |access-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512154954/https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/arthur-l-irving/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Irving lived in Saint John while additionally owning a residence in [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]].<ref name="Bloomberg-profile"/> On May 13, 2024, Irving died from cancer at the age of 93,<ref name="IrvingObituary2"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Perry |first=Brad |date=May 13, 2024 |title=Businessman Arthur Irving dies at age 93 |url=https://www.cjls.com/2024/05/13/businessman-arthur-irving-dies-at-age-93/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514210613/https://www.cjls.com/2024/05/13/businessman-arthur-irving-dies-at-age-93/ |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |url-status=live |publisher=[[CJLS-FM]] |access-date=May 13, 2024}}</ref> at the [[Massachusetts General Hospital]].<ref name="OfficialObituary">{{cite web |title=Obituary of Arthur L. Irving |url=https://brenansfh.com/tribute/details/32696/Arthur-Irving/obituary.html |publisher=Brenan's Paradise Row Funeral Home |access-date=May 15, 2024}}</ref> By the time of his death, ''[[Forbes]]'' had estimated his net worth being at {{USD|6.4 billion}},<ref name="ForbesProfile">{{cite web |title=Arthur Irving |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/arthur-irving/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513172614/https://www.forbes.com/profile/arthur-irving/?sh=18dbb5817aa8 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[Forbes]] |access-date=May 13, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> while [[Bloomberg (website)|Bloomberg]] estimated his net worth at {{USD|9.8 billion}}.<ref name="Bloomberg-profile"/> His funeral took place in Saint John.<ref name="OfficialObituary"/> ==See also== * [[List of Canadian university leaders]] ==References== {{Reflist|2}} == Further reading == * {{Cite book |last1=DeMont |first1=John |date=1992 |title=Citizens Irving: K.C. Irving and His Legacy |url=https://archive.org/details/citizensirvingkc0000unse |url-access=registration |location=Toronto |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |isbn=978-0-7710-2614-0}} * {{Cite book |last1=Poitras |first1=Jacques |date=2014 |title=Irving vs. Irving: Canada's Feuding Billionaires and the Stories They Won't Tell |url=https://archive.org/details/irvingvsirvingca0000poit |url-access=registration |location=Toronto |publisher=Viking |isbn=978-0-14-319302-9}} * {{Cite book |last1=Savoie |first1=Donald |date=2020 |title="Thanks for the Business": K.C. Irving, Arthur Irving, and the Story of Irving Oil |publisher=Nimbus Publishing, Limited |isbn=978-1-77108-890-9}} {{Irving Group of Companies}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Irving, Arthur}} [[Category:1930 births]] [[Category:2024 deaths]] [[Category:21st-century Canadian philanthropists]] [[Category:Academic staff of Acadia University]] [[Category:Acadia University alumni]] [[Category:Businesspeople from Saint John, New Brunswick]] [[Category:Canadian billionaires]] [[Category:Canadian industrialists]] [[Category:Chancellors by university and college in Canada]] [[Category:Deaths from cancer in Massachusetts]] [[Category:Irving family (New Brunswick)]] [[Category:Members of the Order of New Brunswick]] [[Category:Officers of the Order of Canada]]
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