Samuel Belzberg (1928-2018) was a prominent Canadian financier, businessman, and philanthropist known for his aggressive investment strategies in the resource sector. Born into a Jewish immigrant family in Calgary, Alberta, Belzberg began his career in finance during the mid-20th century, leveraging opportunities in oil, gas, and mining industries. In the 1970s, he founded First City Financial Corporation, which grew into one of Canada's largest investment firms through a series of bold takeovers and leveraged buyouts. Under his leadership, the company expanded significantly, amassing substantial wealth and influence in Western Canada's business landscape. Belzberg was recognized for his shrewd deal-making and risk-taking approach, which sometimes drew scrutiny but ultimately solidified his reputation as a self-made tycoon.

Beyond business, Belzberg was deeply committed to philanthropy, particularly within the Jewish community. He and his family supported numerous causes, including education, healthcare, and Jewish cultural institutions across Canada and Israel. Notable contributions included endowments to universities and synagogues, reflecting his strong ties to his heritage. Belzberg was the father of several children, including financier Leon Belzberg, entrepreneur Irving Belzberg, philanthropist Lisa Belzberg, and Marc Belzberg, who carried forward aspects of the family legacy. His personal life was marked by a close-knit family dynamic and a focus on community leadership.

Belzberg's influence extended to networks of Canadian business elites and philanthropists, where his investments and donations helped shape economic and social initiatives. He navigated the volatile resource markets with notable success, though his aggressive tactics occasionally led to legal challenges and corporate battles. Retiring in the 1990s after selling First City, Belzberg spent his later years in Vancouver, British Columbia, continuing his philanthropic work until his death in 2018 at the age of 89.