Robert K. Irving dies at 71 | CBC News

A leading member of New Brunswick’s Irving family has died.

Robert K. Irving, the co-CEO of J.D. Irving Ltd., died at his Moncton home Tuesday. His death was announced by the family in a statement.

“It is with profound sadness that the family of Robert Kenneth Irving mark his passing today in Moncton, New Brunswick, following a courageous battle with cancer,” the statement said.

Condolences poured in from politicians and business and sports communities.

“It’s still sad moment because he was a pillar of the community,” Donald Savoie, a scholar on public policy, told Information Morning Moncton.

“He was deeply committed to Moncton, even more committed to his Wildcats [hockey team]and he was a very successful business person. So for Moncton, for New Brunswick, it’s a big loss.”

WATCH | ‘He was a giant,’ Moncton’s acting mayor says:

A member of New Brunswick’s prominent Irving family has died. Robert K. Irving, 71, died Tuesday at his home in Moncton. He was co-CEO of J.D. Irving Ltd. and president of Cavendish Farms.

Robert Irving led J.D. Irving with his brother, Jim Irving. The company is a major employer in the region with forestry, retail, transportation and consumer products divisions. 

Anne McInerney, J.D. Irving’s vice-president of communications, said no interviews would be provided Tuesday.

The statement Tuesday said funeral arrangements will be announced later.

The 71-year-old was also president of Cavendish Farms headquartered in Dieppe. The company operates plants in Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Alberta and North Dakota. 

The company is P.E.I.’s largest private-sector employer and one of the island’s largest landowners. It describes itself as North America’s fourth largest producer of frozen potato products.

Robert Irving owned the Moncton Wildcats team, which plays in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. The team is the anchor tenant at Moncton’s downtown Avenir Centre arena.

Robert Irving was born Dec. 3, 1954, in Saint John to James Kenneth Irving and Jean Elizabeth Saunders Irving. He was the grandson of K.C. Irving. 

He graduated from Acadia University in Nova Scotia with a business degree. 

The family statement says he established J.D. Irving’s Moncton operations in 1977 and has called the area home since then.

“He was proud to represent the fifth generation in the family business. He considered himself fortunate to share both the daily challenges and long-term vision of the business with his brother Jim.”

He was married to Jill Irving for nearly 40 years and had four children and four grandchildren.

He was a member of the New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame, the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame, and the P.E.I. Business Hall of Fame. He was named a recipient of the Order of Moncton in 2020 and Order of New Brunswick in 2024.

Premiers offer condolences

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt issued a statement offering condolences.

“His contributions to our province have left a lasting impact, providing 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.”

Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz also offered condolences while speaking in that province’s legislature Tuesday.

“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.â€

Moncton’s acting mayor also expressed her condolences.

“It’s a great loss for the city,” Paulette Thériault told reporters Tuesday. “He was a giant, really. I think we all recognize that now.

“Whether it was with sports, or giving to not-for-profits, he was just a generous, generous person.”

The City of Moncton said the businesses he led employed more than 2,000 people in the Greater Moncton area.

Kim Wilson, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton, said the Irving family businesses have a far-reaching impact in the region as one of the largest employers.

“Leaders like him don’t come along very often,” Wilson said. “He’s someone who understood the importance of giving back and supporting the community and really helped build a stronger community as a result of all of his efforts.”

The Order of New Brunswick description says he led various fundraisers, including chairing capital campaigns for the Friends of the Moncton Hospital Foundation, which helped raise more than $20 million.

“Mr. Irving’s impact on health care in our community is immeasurable,” the foundation said in Facebook post after his death.

Underwent treatment last year

In September 2025, the Canadian Press reported Irving was being treated for cancer. 

A spokesperson told the news service that Irving had surgery for cancer on July 29 and was undergoing treatment. The type of cancer, and where Irving was being treated, was not disclosed. 

That cancer diagnosis was referenced by the Moncton Wildcats coach, Gardiner MacDougall, during a news conference earlier this month while the team was still in the playoffs.

“I can’t speak enough about our owner, Mr. Irving, the passion he has, what he’s put together here environment-wise, what he does for our community,” MacDougall said on May 6. “Obviously he’s in a, you know, real battle now.”

The Wildcats won the league championship last year, but failed to repeat that success when the team lost to the Chicoutimi Saguenéens on Sunday, two days before Irving died.

Following the loss, Wildcats player Caleb Desnoyers was tearful.

“What hurts me the most is that I feel like I let Mr. Irving down a little,” Desnoyers said, according to Radio-Canada.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better person or a better organization for my career. … We played for ourselves, but mostly for him, but I feel like I let him down. We felt like we gave it our all, but in the end, it wasn’t enough.”

Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League commissioner Mario Cecchini expressed sadness in a statement Tuesday.

“He was a pillar and a builder within the QMJHL,” Cecchini said. “We could recall so many moments from his career, but what I will remember most of all is his passion for the players and his team. He took incredible care to encourage and mentor them, making their time in Moncton memorable. “