George Maxwell Bell (1912-1972) was an entrepreneur and devoted philanthropist who thrived on taking risks.
After graduating from McGill University with a degree in commerce in 1932, Bell worked a variety of jobs such as labourer and prospector in British Columbia, until he was able to secure a contract providing railway ties to the Canadian Pacific Railway. With the profits from this he made his first major investment, in a dormant Turner Valley oil company. Read more.
Arthur J.E. Child was born in Surrey, England, on May 19, 1910. At the age of three, he immigrated with his family to Canada, residing in Gananoque, Ontario. He graduated from Gananoque High School at the top of his class, and enrolled at Queen’s University.
Mr. Child was the President and CEO of Burns Foods Ltd., which for decades was one of western Canada’s most prominent and largest employers. He was also chairman of the Foundation from its inception in 1973 until the early 1990s. His dedication to the goals of the Foundation and his steadfast efforts in promoting it played a pivotal role in creating the organization it is today. Read more.
Frederick C. Mannix is known as one of Canada’s great builders. Born Oct.21, 1913 in Edmonton, AB, he began working for his father’s contracting business at an early age, becoming a partner in 1935. When his father’s failing health led to the sale of the business in 1942, the younger Mannix maintained on ownership position in the company, which became a Canadian subsidiary of Morrison-Knudsen Construction Company of Boise, Idaho. Read more.
Hon. James A. Richardson, PC (born March 28, 1922 in Winnipeg, Man., died May 17, 2004) was a Canadian Cabinet minister under Pierre Trudeau, and a Winnipeg businessman.
After attending Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Richardson enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He served as an anti-submarine pilot based in Iceland and Labrador during World War II. Following the war, Richardson joined the family owned grain company, James Richardson and Sons, and became chief executive officer and chairman in 1966. Read more.
