Hundreds of family, friends, colleagues, politicians and dignitaries celebrated the life of one New Brunswick’s greatest business leaders, Wallace McCain, Friday afternoon.
McCain, co-founder – with his brother Harrison – of McCain Foods, died last week at the age of 81, following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.
Known around the world for its frozen French fries, McCain Foods become a global empire worth approximately $6 billion annually.
But, Wallace McCain will be remembered for his commitment to the arts and charitable organizations, including Canada’s National Ballet School, the Metropolitan Community Church, in Toronto, and Centre for Pancreatic Cancer – named for McCain – at Toronto’s Princess Margaret Hospital.
He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, former N.B. Lt.Gov Margaret Norrie McCain, four children and nine grandchildren.
Former New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna will delivered a touching and amusing eulogy for McCain at St. Paul’s Church, which was also broadcast at the Church of the Good Shepherd, in his hometown of Florenceville, as well as the Florenceville Baptist Church.
A friend’s tribute
Wallace McCain was a man of “culture and taste” even if he was a “meat and potatoes kind of guy.”
He changed the business world and was known around the world, but his hometown of Florenceville, N.B. is where he’ll be missed the most.
“Toronto may claim his body, but New Brunswick will always have his heart,” said former N.B. Premier Frank McKenna.
McKenna shared a string of heartfelt memories in his eulogy to the Canadian business mogul and philanthropist, saying his friend’s energy won’t soon be forgotten.
Up to his very last days, McKenna said, “Wallace never lost his boyish enthusiasm.”
“Even when he was gravely ill, he never lost his ability to add colour.”
He spoke of McCain’s love for his business and his even greater love for his wife of 56 years, Margaret, and their four children: Scott, Eleanor, Michael and Martha.
“How he glowed in their presence,” McKenna shared.
But the eulogy wasn’t a sombre one. McKenna fondly recalled the man who “looked like he came off the cover of GQ Magazine (and) had the mouth of a drunken sailor.”
And, the man who was a passionate and loyal “Carleton County Liberal.”
“The only problem was that Carleton County Tories were equally ferocious and loyal and there were always more of them. But that never stopped Wallace.”
McKenna called the legendary businessman “the quintessential Canadian.”
“The Wallace McCains of the world are what makes our country different from all others.”
Read McKenna’s full tribute to Wallace McCain here.
Stories and memories of Wallace McCain can be shared on the Wallace McCain Tribute site.
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