Canadian investment manager, advocate for ethical business practices, and philanthropist Stephen Jarislowsky passed away at the age of 101. Jarislowsky, originally from Germany in 1925, established Jarislowsky Fraser & Co. in 1955, transforming it from a startup into one of Canada’s leading pension fund managers. Following various professional stints in Kingston, Ont., Montreal, and New York, he returned to Montreal to launch his own firm, starting with a personal investment of $100 and $50 from a partner.
For over 60 years, Jarislowsky helmed Jarislowsky Fraser until his retirement in 2012, during which the firm oversaw approximately $40 billion in assets. In 2018, Scotiabank acquired the company for $950 million. His entrepreneurial achievements amassed a fortune estimated at $3.9 billion US by Forbes, which he generously utilized to contribute substantial sums, including establishing numerous research chairs at Canadian universities.
