Robert K. Irving has died.
The Irving family announced that the co-CEO of J.D. Irving, Limited, passed away Tuesday morning in Moncton.
He was 71.
Irving had been battling cancer.
The second-oldest son of James K. Irving and Jean Irving, he ran JDI along with his older brother James D. Irving.
After graduating from Acadia University with a business degree, he established JDI’s Moncton operations in 1977 and called the city home.
A statement from JDI described Robert Irving as an innovative and tireless entrepreneur.
He established and grew successful businesses in several sectors, including paper products, food processing, agriculture and transportation.
He remained humble despite his accomplishments, always crediting the team for a job well done.
In recent years, he embraced a new chapter, working alongside three of his children in the business.
Another of his passions was hockey.
He founded the Moncton Wildcats Hockey Club in 1996, combining his love for sport and competition with his commitment to youth development and community.
He took great pride in the team’s three QMJHL championships (2006, 2010 and 2025) and in hosting the Memorial Cup in 2006.
He rarely missed a game, cheered enthusiastically and built lasting relationships with the players.
A proud Canadian and New Brunswick, Irving had a strong commitment to his community.
He played a role in many health-care fundraising campaigns, most recently serving as campaign chair to build the Jean Elizabeth Saunders Irving Obstetrics and Newborn Care Unit at the Moncton Hospital.
He was an advocate for youth, education and literacy.
His support of a wide range of organizations made a lasting difference and he received a number of New Brunswick’s highest honours.
These included:
- Boys and Girls Club of Moncton’s Builder of Youth Lifetime Achievement Award (2011)
- Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Clubs of Greater Moncton (2014)
- The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick’s Champion of Literacy Award (2016)
- The Centennial Paul Harris Fellowship Award on the 100th anniversary of four Rotary Clubs (2020)
He was also a strong supporter of his wife Jill’s passion for equestrian sport and was awarded Equestrian Canada’s highest and most prestigious national honour, the Gold Medal, in 2025.,
He 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 received the Order of Moncton and Order of New Brunswick in recognition of his community involvement, generosity and exceptional contributions to the province.
He’s survived by his wife Jill, daughters Megan, Meredith and Olivia, son Robert (RJ), grandchildren Warren, Sutton, Collins and Fraser, his brother James and sisters Mary-Jean and Judith, and 17 nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
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