Born: November 3, 1927
Died: March 18, 2004 Place of Birth: Florenceville, New Brunswick
Major Notes:
Harrison McCain is best known as the "King of the French Fry."
The McCain family had farmed for several generations in Ireland and New Brunswick.
His father was a seed potato farmer who had developed national and international markets for his products.
McCain graduated in 1949 with a degree in Economics from Acadia University and found employment with Irving Oil.
In 1956, McCain and his brother Wallace were instrumental in setting up a new business, McCain Foods Ltd., to process frozen French fries.
Actually there were four McCain brothers with the firm, and over the next few years, McCain's French fries were in the major markets of Britain, Australia, and United States.
McCain continued to build new plants around the world to process French fries and sales were in the billion dollar range.
In addition, other frozen food products such as pizzas, juices, and vegetables added to the McCain profits.
Internal squabbles as to future control of the company in 1994 saw Wallace McCain break away from the company.
Harrison McCain bought out a major rival company, Ore-Ida, in 1997 enhancing his control of the frozen food business.
It is estimated that McCain Foods employed over 15,000 workers by the year 2000.
McCain was recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the world's billionaires and a philanthropist for many good causes.
He was made an honorary life member of the Potato Association of America and a Companion of the Order of Canada.
Harrison McCain was also awarded an honorary Doctorate degree from McGill University.
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