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On his 90th birthday, B.C. billionaire Jim Pattison says he still loves going to work every day

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Jimmy Pattison turns 90
WATCH: Ninety years ago today, one of the most successful businessmen in Canadian history was born. Linda Aylesworth sat down with Jimmy Pattison to talk about his very humble beginnings and the drive that keeps him going strong into his tenth decade – Oct 1, 2018

Ninety years ago today, Jimmy Pattison, one of Canada’s most successful entrepreneurs, was born in Saskatchewan.

He was still young when his family moved to Vancouver where he has resided ever since.

His company, The Jim Pattison Group, is the second largest privately held company in Canada.

The company has 45,000 employees and last year had $10 billion in revenue.

“I have fun going to work every day,” Pattison said. “Everybody’s different, I prefer going to work. I like what I do and so I just keep doing it.”

That work ethic has been with him his entire life.

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From 2016: Jim Pattison reveals interesting quirks

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Local mogul Jim Pattison reveals interesting quirks

“I started working when I was seven years old, selling garden seeds,” he said.

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Growing up during the Great Depression, Pattison’s family struggled to make ends meet.

“I had the best parents you could ever get, but the only thing we didn’t have was money,” he said.

WATCH: Jim Pattison donates $75M to St. Paul’s Hospital

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Jim Pattison donates $75M to St. Paul’s Hospital

After finding success, Pattison has donated much of his wealth.

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In the last year, he has committed more than $100 million to hospitals in Vancouver and Saskatoon.

“I was always brought up to give up 10 per cent of what I made, and I always have,” he said.

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