Frederick Charles Mannix

Born Oct. 21, 1913, in Edmonton; died July 29, 1995

Occupation: Construction magnate, philanthropist

Contribution: He has been described as “reclusive,” “the richest Albertan in history” and “Canada’s answer to Howard Hughes.” He inherited a coal mining and construction firm and turned it into The Outfit, the privately held conglomerate with its fingers in everything from hydroelectric dams to pipelines, subway and seaway construction, coal mining and mountain pass bulldozing. “The Mannixes walk softly with a big stick and don’t say a heck of a lot,” said former Mannix executive Harold Millican. “He can afford to be private, and he chooses to be.” His companies were involved in high-profile projects such as the TransCanada Highway, light-rail systems in both Calgary and Edmonton, James Bay hydroelectric project and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Quote: “Business, to continue successfully, has to have to be needed, responsible and honourable to continue in the long run.”