J. G. (John) Rigg (FN 54-57)

Peter Jackson (FN 54-57), who was on Eaglesfield House with John in 1954 prior to moving to Foundation, has kindly sent in a copy of  an obituary carried by ‘The Island Packet’, the local newspaper of Daufuskie Island, off South Carolina, where John had lived for several years.

“John Giles Rigg of Haig Point, South Carolina passed away on Saturday, September 30th at the age of 76 after a long illness. John was born in the town of Wigton, County Cumbria in the United Kingdom. He later moved to London before relocating to Canada in 1962, and then to the United States in 1985. He is survived by his beloved wife Ursula, four children and grandchildren. John enjoyed a highly successful business career that began in London in 1958 with Liebig's Extract of Meat Company, makers of OXO bouillon and Fray Bentos. He moved to Canada in 1962 and rose up the corporate ranks. After Liebig's merger with Brooke Bond Foods, he became the youngest director at Brooke Bond in 1974. John later became President and CEO of Brooke Bond Canada in 1978 and Chairman of Brooke Bond USA the following year. He was best known for founding Redco Foods, Inc. with partner John Edwards in 1985, which later acquired Salada Foods from the Kellogg Company in 1988. Tragically, his partner passed away a few months after the purchase and John became the sole owner of Redco. In 1995, on his retirement, John sold Redco to Teekanne of Dusseldorf, Germany, ensuring the company would continue to operate as an independent tea packer. John was a former Chairman of the Canadian Tea Council and the US Tea Council and a Director of the Tea Association of the USA. He was a passionate advocate for the tea industry in North America and around the world. In this context, John raised considerable sums of money for Leukaemia throughout America and his company sponsored the annual re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party. He will long be remembered for his courage, tenacity, generosity and contagious sense of humour. John was a personal and professional mentor to countless colleagues, friends, and family. His wisdom will leave a lasting impact on so many.”

 

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