William F. Irvine:
Innovation, Leadership, and Legacy.
William F. Irvine
(1937 - 2021)
Bill was born in Toronto on January 30, 1937 to Dr. A.D. Irvine and Dorothea Irvine. In 1957 Bill was the winner of the Mr. Canada Junior Competition in the categories of body building and strength. This accomplishment inspired Bill to create his successful company, York Barbell Ltd., which became an iconic global brand. As President, Bill grew the company to a worldwide business that involved the sale of his products in over 52 countries. He was a brilliant and passionate businessman who never stopped innovating, creating and developing his business.
Bill’s lifelong goal was to produce a superior product at a reasonable cost to make fitness accessible to everyone. At the time of his death in 2021, Bill was still totally involved with his company and was still seeking new challenges and opportunities. He found as much pleasure in negotiating business deals as he did in working on the shop floor with his staff.
Bill and his wife, Mary, shared a marriage that spanned 61 years. He enjoyed the simple things in life, visiting with friends and traveling to the places his products were sold. Aside from his work, Bill had a lifelong passion for antique cars which he collected and drove with pride and delight.
Bill is remembered as a calm, caring and generous man who took pleasure in anonymously helping people in need. His generosity towards others will be honoured through the I.C. Foundation, which will donate proceeds from his estate to worthy causes.
The I.C. Foundation
The I.C. Foundation is a private foundation funded by the Estate of Willliam F. Irvine and from charitable donations made by Martha and Randy Cass. The foundation is focused on improving the lives of Canadians through long-term charitable investments and philanthropic grants that aim to create a positive and productive future for individuals, families, communities and the country as a whole.
The foundation is led by Martha and Randy Cass.
The foundation will not accept grant proposals or unsolicited requests for donations