K. C. Irving

Who was K. C. Irving?

Kenneth Colin Irving, OC also known as K. C. Irving was one of Canada's foremost entrepreneurs of the 20th century and ranked as one of the world's leading industrialists. K. C. Irving's business began with a family sawmill in Bouctouche, N.B., in 1881. Ownership and operation of the Irving group of companies ultimately divided among his three sons and their respective children, James, the oldest brother's two sons, Jim Irving and Robert Irving, took more control of forest products, Arthur the middle brother assumed more autonomy in Irving Oil, which owns Saint John, New Bruswick Irving Oil Refinery, Canada's largest refinery, and Jack. In 1989, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.