Image (c) Gerry Boland
Craig Dobbin is very fondly remembered by all associated with the ICUF. Proud both of his Newfoundland roots, and his Irish ancestry, his generosity and support set the foundation going, and hundreds of scholars later, the work he set in train continues.
He was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CHC Helicopter Corporation, a public company traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (FLY.A and FLY.B) and the New York Stock Exchange (FLI). The company, headquartered in St. John’s, Newfoundland, is the world’s largest helicopter company, providing global helicopter services (www.chc.ca).
Dr. Dobbin was also Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Omega Investments, a real-estate holding company in St. Johns; Chairman of the Ireland Canada University Foundation located in Dublin which assists and promotes Canadian Studies in Irish Universities; a member of the Board of Directors of Newfoundland Capital Corporation; and was the Honourary Consul General of Ireland for Newfoundland & Labrador. He was actively involved in many various non-profit organizations.
In June 1990, the Government of France awarded Dr. Dobbin with the Medaille de l’Aeronautique, designed to reward the professional value of civil or military people who have distinguished themselves in the development of aviation; in October 1990 he received an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from Saint Mary’s University; he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1992; in 1995 he was bestowed with an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from The National University of Ireland; in 1996 he was appointed the Outstanding Individual Philanthropist for the year from the Canadian Society of Fundraising Executives, and presented with both Newfoundland’s Transportation Person of the Year award and the National Transportation Person of Year Award.
In January 2000 he was awarded the honour of “Newfoundland’s Businessman of the Millennium” and in May 2000 he received an Honourary Doctorate of Laws Degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland. In October 2000 Dr. Dobbin was awarded the Atlantic Canada Entrepreneur of the Year, this program founded by Ernst & Young, celebrates great entrepreneurs and heightens awareness of the economic effect of entrepreneurial ventures.
Craig Laurence Dobbin died on October 7th, 2006, at his home in Beachy Cove, St.John’s, Newfoundland.