Canadian business icon Wallace McCain, the co-founder of an international frozen food empire, was remembered by friends and family at his funeral in Toronto Friday.

McCain, 81, died last weekend after a 14-month fight with pancreatic cancer.

Michael McCain remembered his father as a man of "strength, courage and conviction."

"I take enormous pride that my greatest blessing in life was my opportunity to say my father was my parent, my mentor, my boss, my business partner and my best friend," McCain said during the funeral service.

The funeral service held at St. Paul's Church in Toronto was broadcast to two churches in McCain's western New Brunswick hometown of Florenceville-Bristol.

Former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna delivered the eulogy after McCain's four children shared their memories.

McKenna had the crowd laughing on more than one occasion as he remembered McCain's love of life.

"Wallace lived his brand," McKenna said, referring to the foods produced by the two companies he guided.

"He loved french fries and he ate bacon and eggs every day of his life. The only thing missing — he should have owned a liquor business, because Wallace McCain loved to drink," McKenna said.

"Now, don't get me wrong. Wallace McCain didn't drink to excess, but he sure did love his evening cocktail and a glass of wine at supper."

At another point, McKenna noted McCain's penchant for profanity and his affection for his home province.

"Toronto will claim his body but his heart is in New Brunswick," McKenna added.

In 1956, McCain and his brother, the late Harrison McCain, co-founded McCain Foods Ltd. The small french fry plant was eventually transformed into the multibillion-dollar frozen foods corporation that now operates in 44 countries.

The funeral of Wallace McCain was held in Toronto on Friday. ((Mike Cassese/Reuters))

Wallace was forced out of the company in 1994 after a falling out with Harrison. Wallace went on to head faltering meat processor Maple Leaf Foods and was credited with turning around the company. His son, Michael, is now the CEO.

Wallace remained a board member and vice-chair of McCain Foods and still owned a third of the company. He reconciled with his brother before Harrison died in 2004.

McCain and his wife, Margaret, had four children and nine grandchildren.