Born in New Brunswick, Jack Irving, as he was called, along with his brothers J.K. and Arthur and their three families, share the ownership and operating responsibility for what is known informally as the Irving Group of Companies.
Irving, Limited are vertically integrated and buy services and products from other companies within the conglomerate, thereby maintaining profits within their operations.
Irving gained a reputation as being the most reflective of the Irving family, and was known for being far less aggressive than his older brothers when it came to business, choosing instead to listen intently and leave the talking mostly to them.
Though he was found unharmed,[1] the kidnapping left him aware of his own mortality and a shift in his personality was noted.
[2] An avid conservationist of ecological[3] and cultural areas, Jack Irving was a strong supporter of the arts in Atlantic Canada.