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Irving, Limited, running Moncton operations in paper products, food processing, agriculture and transportationLast updated 15 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Robert Irving. Photo by Submitted/PostmediaMONCTON • Prominent businessman and Moncton Wildcats owner Robert Irving died Tuesday after a battle with cancer, his family said in a statement. He was 71.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorIrving was co-CEO of J.D. Irving, Limited, heading the company’s Moncton-based operations, which included significant holdings in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.Irving’s death prompted condolences from the premier’s office, former colleagues, municipal officials and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.“Mr. Irving passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife of 39 years, Jill, and their four children, Megan, Meredith, Olivia, and R.J.,” his family said in a statement circulated by Globe Newswire.Breaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“We are immensely grateful for his leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to the values, as well as to the employees, customers, and the communities we serve. He has been the heart and soul of J.D. Irving Moncton, building and guiding it with passion, resilience, and purpose.“Beyond his roles as a leader and father, he has also been a mentor and trusted friend to many. His impact will be long lasting, and his legacy will continue to shape and inspire this organization for years to come.Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.His death was announced in a separate statement from J.D. Irving, Limited.Premier Susan Holt issued a statement Tuesday extending condolences on Irving’s passing.“His contributions to our province have left a lasting impact, proving many New Brunswickers with good paying jobs, supporting community organizations and championing New Brunswick as a place to invest,” Holt said. “Robert was a dedicated leader whose work helped shape our economy and communities, and his legacy will continue through his business and through the lives he impacted. Our thoughts are with his family and all those who knew him.”Speaking in the P.E.I. legislature, Premier Rob Lantz extended his “deepest condolences to the Irving family as they navigate this difficult time.”“Robert K. Irving was a respected business leader whose work, including his role with Cavendish Farms, helped shape a key part of Prince Edward Island’s economy. And his contributions supported communities across our province and those contributions, Mr. Speaker, will not be forgotten. And I hope that his family finds comfort in the legacy that he’s left behind here in Prince Edward Island.”Robert Irving was born on Dec. 3, 1954, in Saint John. He was the second-eldest son of J.K. Irving and Jean Elizabeth Saunders Irving, a grandson of K.C. Irving, and a brother to Jim, Mary-Jean and Judith Irving.Together with his wife of nearly 40 years, Jill (née Gougeon), he raised four children: Megan (Jordan), Meredith (Lance), Olivia (Christopher), and Robert James (R.J.) (Samantha). He was grandfather to Warren, Sutton, Collins and Fraser.The statement from J.D. Irving, Limited, said Robert graduated with a business degree from Acadia University, and established the Moncton operations of J.D. Irving, Limited, in 1977. He called Moncton home ever since.“He was proud to represent the fifth generation in the family business,” the statement said. “He considered himself fortunate to share both the daily challenges and long-term vision of the business with his brother Jim. After nearly 50 years of dedicated service, Robert often said he was just getting started.”The Moncton operations include paper products, food processing, agriculture and transportation.“He embodied a sentiment his father often quoted: ‘The best fertilizer is the farmer’s footsteps in the soil.’ He thrived on being where the action was – in the fields with farmers, on the manufacturing floor, or in transport terminals. He especially enjoyed meeting with customers at their offices or hosting them at J.D. Irving locations,” the statement said.In 1996, he founded the Moncton Wildcats junior hockey team. The team won three QMJHL championships (2006, 2010 and 2025), and hosted the Memorial Cup in 2006. Robert rarely missed a game and could be seen cheering enthusiastically.Greg Turner, a Moncton businessman and former provincial cabinet minister, remembered Robert Irving as a close friend with a shared passion for community and hockey.“Our friendship lasted through many years as we went in different directions but we kept in touch through hockey,” said Turner, who was elected as a Moncton councillor-at-large in the May 11 municipal elections.“He cared deeply for his community and he was passionate. He wanted to know more, he wanted to help out and be hands on. He wanted to talk to the truck drivers and the people working in the plants, he’d want to help the hockey players unload the equipment from the bus,” said Turner.When the Wildcats were playing at the Moncton Coliseum, Irving had the glass removed from his seating area behind the bench so he could communicate with the team. Irving would attend road games and regularly shake hands with all the players.“Whatever he could support people, through fundraisers at the hospital or business ventures, he was passionate about it,” Turner said. “He was a genuine down-to-earth person who could fit in and talk to anybody on any subject at any time, and loved it.”Shawn Crossman, Moncton’s mayor-elect, said Irving “was incredibly proud of Moncton’s youth and always made sure to take the time to make them laugh, feel proud, and smile. He gave our community his all in everything he did. My heart goes out to his family.”Robert Irving was also involved in many charity projects and in business growth in Moncton.He played a leading role in numerous healthcare fundraising campaigns, most recently serving as the Campaign Chair to build the Jean Elizabeth Saunders Irving Obstetrics and Newborn Care Unit at The Moncton Hospital. His honours included the Boys and Girls Club of Moncton’s Builder of Youth Lifetime Achievement Award (2011); being named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Clubs of Greater Moncton (2014); the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick’s Champion of Literacy Award (2016); and the rare centennial Paul Harris Fellowship Award, bestowed on the 100 th anniversary of four Rotary Clubs (2020).The Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation paid tribute to Robert K. Irving as a philanthropist and community champion. His death came just a day before the hospital lobby was renamed as the Irving Family Reception area.“Mr. Irving’s impact on health care in our community is immeasurable,” the foundation said in a statement to Brunswick News. “He served as chair of all three major capital campaigns for the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation, helping each campaign to tremendous success through his generosity, leadership, connections and relentless commitment to improving health care for families across southeastern New Brunswick.The foundation said his effort helped with the Irving Ambulatory Centre and the Jean Elizabeth Saunders Irving Obstetrics Unit, named in honour of his mother. The main hospital lobby is also being named as the Irving Family Reception area.“Over the years, through his leadership, he donated millions of dollars to advance patient care, equipment and services at The Moncton Hospital – ensuring better care for generations to come.”He was also a strong supporter of his wife Jill’s passion for equestrian sport, and in 2025 he was awarded Equestrian Canada’s highest and most prestigious national honour, the Gold Medal.Robert was inducted into the New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame, the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame, and the P.E.I. Business Hall of Fame. He was awarded the Order of Moncton and the Order of New Brunswick in recognition of his extensive community involvement, generosity, and exceptional contributions to the province. Moncton Wildcats owner Robert K. Irving, right, with Taylor and Gardiner MacDougall in a May 2024 photo. Irving died Tuesday at the age of 71. Photo: Daniel St. Louis/Moncton Wildcats Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.