Bill McCarthy

The largest charitable bequest to a single beneficiary in B.C.’s history was undertaken by Real Estate Institute of Canada past-president William (Bill) McCarthy of WPJ McCarthy and Company in Burnaby, B.C.

McCarthy, grandson of the late John Jambor and creator and executor of his estate plan, gifted $21.4 million in the Jambor-McCarthy legacy to the B.C. Cancer Foundation.

In keeping with the tenets John Jambor lived by, and enunciated by McCarthy – work hard, live well, give back – the gift will support researchers at the B.C. Cancer Agency Research Centre and care providers at the agency’s five centres throughout the province.

“I worked alongside my grandfather from childhood,” said McCarthy. “He was the greatest man I’ll ever know. Together, we developed the Jambor-McCarthy legacy and I’m proud to see this gift flourish into a fitting tribute to my grandfather and the Jambor family.”

McCarthy was recently presented with the REIC Emeritus Award.

“Bill promotes REIC as a gateway to higher education, professional credentials and networking benefits,” says Maura McLaren, REIC executive director and CEO. “Bill’s unending support of REIC as a member, instructor, mentor and sponsor is exceptional. The legacy he has gifted to the B.C. Cancer Foundation makes us even more proud of Bill.”