Poirier was not just a coach, but family. He was our neighbour just a few houses down. I grew up knowing I was going to run for Poirier’s team. My 6 older siblings were taught and coached by him and worked on his farm. By the time I made it to highschool, it was expectation that we ate lunch in his home room and ran home together after school to save our parents a drive. Deep sadness into hearing his passing. Such energy and inspiration to so many. I’ll never forget his love of black Timmy’s coffee, and the tower of onion rings at The Works he’d insist of ordering for the table after the Santa Shuffle race. He’s still a huge reason I love to run, and my love of the outdoors.

Celebration of life to be held Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 2:00 - 5:00 at the Alexandria Restaurant, 127 Main Street, Alexandria, Ontario.

I was saddened to learn of Roger’s passing and would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family. 

I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to work and coach with Roger. He was an important friend and mentor to me during our years together at R.C.I. There was never a dull moment working with him; he was always ready with a nuanced joke and he could convince almost anybody to do almost anything! He saw the potential in all of his students and athletes and as a result, they performed for him. Roger challenged us to go beyond what we thought we were capable of and his support gave us the courage to try. The Raider track and field / cross country family has lost a true legend but Roger’s passion for running is being carried on by the hundreds of athletes that he inspired.

To the Poirier family

I just want to start off by giving you my deepest condolences at this very sad time. Also,  I hope your family holds tremendously great memories of Mr. Poirier as so many of us do.

Here is one of mine. I remember it like it was yesterday. Grade 9 of high-school my first week. I see Mr. poirier in a sweatshirt and sweatpants grining ear to ear smiling at me. He watched me walk by his media studies class room 2nd floor by the entrance to the stairwell. He then followed me and said. " You must be a new student, what is your name? " I responded " Dustin " Mr. Poirier then continued smiling and said to me " Dustin, I need to tell you. You look like you could be a great runner. Do you have any running experience? " I responded " Kind of, I have played soccer my whole life. I do running as a cross trainer for my other sports. I never did it competitively. " He then Burst out laughing, and said " Dustin , your gonna meet me and Madam Moderstead at Mat te way Park after school for running practice ok. We're gonna turn you into a runner. " The rest is in the highschool year books. I took as many courses i could with him, and never missed a running practice. Media studies was by far my favorite. He taught us all the think outside the box and not take anything in life at face value ( literally ,and figuratively ). Also, if you had tough times and needed someone to talk to. His door was always open, and he meant that. He would sit you down. Listen to everything you told him, and articulate a plan of improvement so you could get where you needed to be. 

The reason I'm writing this is because you don't often come across a person like Mr. Poirier ever. A person that always seen potential in people, and would help them draw a road map to getting there. Thank you Mr. Poirier. You helped so many students, and atheletes become accomplished successful people by giving us that strong foundation from the start. Thank you, you will be missed!

There is not a single student that Mr. Poirier had that wouldn't have an amazing memory to share or kind thing to say. I first had him in Gr. 9 and at various different point throught my highschool life, he wasn't just a good teacher. He was a great teacher; he wasn't just there to teach you the bookwork to pass the test but he always had a wealth of life knowledge to share! Even when I wasn't in one of his classes, I often found myself chatting with him on lunchbreaks or in passing in the hall. He was one of the few that made my highschool experience worth it. I am so sorry to hear of his passing and I hope he may always live on in the hearts and memories of all the lives he touched.

Our deepest sympathies to Roger Poirier's family, friends, former students, coworkers and all those who mourn Roger's passing.

It is with great shock and sadness that we have just now learned of Roger's passing.

It is a very sad day indeed to learn that someone once so full of life, vim, vigour,  enthusiasm and with a great zest for living life to the fullest has been taken from this world.

With certainty, the world is a dimmer place with Roger's light gone from it.

We well remember Roger from his days as a coach at RCI where he shared both his knowledge and enthusiasm for sports with his students.

Our most recent recollection was running into Roger at Timmie's in Renfrew  as he celebrated yet another right to run the Boston Marathon - no mean feat indeed.

It is heartwarming to hold that memory as a snapshot in time - Roger:  fit as a fiddle, tanned and lean and full of life with endurance and stamina, ready to take on a challenge that only a select few would dare to conquer.

It is our hope that you find that snapshot in time  (or, if you are most fortunate, perhaps you have many sbapshots in time) with which to warm your hearts and help ease the pain and sorrow that this most tragic loss has brought upon you.

For his students who mentored under him and parents like us who watched and cheered them on to success, we are fortunate to remember the teacher, the man, the coach and the person who gave so much of himself as he influenced the countkess students entrusted to him and helped to shape them into the people that they have become today.

We know our son was greatly influenced by Roger and still carries the countless memories with him.

R.I.P. Roger - yours was most assuredly a full life and a life well lived. Your life definitely made an incalulable difference in the world  because the domino effect one amazing teacher has is just too great to be measured as your influence touched countless students which in turn reverberates through the generations.

My heartfelt condolences, words cannot begin to describe what you must be feeling.  Be it know. That  Mr. Poirier will always be one of the teachers/coaches that touched my life and the lives of many.  And the memories with him are fond and happy.  I don't know if anyone truly understands the magnitude of the impact he had on his students and athletes.  We are all better to have known him.

I so enjoyed meeting this delightful man at the former Renfrew Farmers Market! You delighted all your customers with your upbeat personality, sparkling wit and hilarious sense of humour! 
I even got to go to Roger’s home occasionally to buy some delicious fresh eggs!
Blessed be 🙏💚💔🌈

Dear Poirier Family,

I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Mr. Poirier. He was a remarkable teacher, coach, and mentor who left an indelible mark on the lives of so many, including my own.

During my high school years at R.C.I. from like 2008 to 2012, Mr. Poirier was a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. He had a unique ability to motivate us to strive for our best, even when the odds seemed stacked against us. Thanks to him, I willingly showed up for 7 a.m. track and field practices, where his energy and dedication pushed me to achieve things I didn’t think were possible. Even as a less-than-stellar member of the cross-country team, his unwavering support kept me coming back, teaching me the value of perseverance and commitment.

Mr. Poirier also introduced us to a "media" class that, as I later discovered, wasn’t even part of the standard curriculum. Yet, it became one of the most memorable and enriching experiences of my high school years. He fostered creativity, learning, and camaraderie, all while somehow helping us earn an English credit. It’s a testament to his ability to turn any opportunity into something meaningful and unforgettable.

Although I haven’t seen him in over a decade, I have no doubt that he continued to inspire and shape the lives of those fortunate enough to know him. His passion, kindness, and unwavering belief in his students made the world a better place.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss. Mr. Poirier’s legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched, and I will always be grateful for the profound impact he had on mine.

With deepest sympathy,
Tyler Harris

That familiar head of black curly hair,and orange cap heading to RCI or home from, whatever the weather. Thinking of you all.

Roger was a great person! He went out of his way for his students and athletes! Saved us a lot of driving by bringing our children home from after school track and cross Country practice. Our condolences go out to the family.

From the Mchenry’s family in renfrew on behalf of Debbie and I and our family who were taught and or coached by rog. Carly Blake and Shane .

So sorry to hear of Rogers passing. We had a lot of good times working around the farms on Pucker Street. Tim and Teresa Enright

I cant believe that he’s gone. Mr. Poirier was one of the most memorable teachers I had while.at R.C.I.; graduating class of ‘03. He was my first example of chaotic organizing lol. His desk was such a mess but he ALWAYS knew where everything was lol. I was lucky enough to be taught Geography by him (although I dont remember much lol) and many of my high school memories in one way or another include him. He always knew how to make you laugh but I think was serious when needed lol. I'm so sorry for your loss. I know no words can make you feel better. Just remember in time the pain will lessen and that he's always around when you truly need him.

So sorry for your families loss ,he was a fine man and neighbour for many years .
The MULVIHILL Family on Pucker Street

Best English teacher ever! Mr Poirier was always a joy to be around. My condolences to the family.

Mr. Poirier was always such a  kind, caring, fun and energetic human. He always shared a smile in the hallways and an encouraging word to help people feel welcome and special.

I'm saddened to read of his passing, and honoured to have known this great man. 

Condolences to his entire family 💕

From the classroom to the track, he was always full of encouragement. He will live on in the hearts and memories of countless students; I am but one of those. My deepest condolences to the family and close friends who will miss him most.

My first high school English teacher and cross country coach! Grade 9 basketball coach , best memories with Poirier ! Absolutely the best teacher ever !!

So sorry to hear this news - I remember him well as one of my favourite English teachers!  (I even took the creative writing course just so I could have him as my teacher).  My thoughts are with his loved ones - know that so many people will have fond memories and he will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

Nancy (Garvie) Crawley

So many great memories and laughs and triumphs. Such devotion to fitness, for himself and others. It was fun to be part of his circle for a few years. Deep sympathy to Tracy and the boys.

Mr. Poirier was THE best teacher a kid could have.  He taught me some much about creative writing, alternative/critical  thinking and was such a good leader to us all. Hearing this is heart breaking. I hope he’s wearing Red up there, watching Brave Heart and enjoying the after life to the fullest. RIP. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones.

Roger was our neighbour growing up on Pucker St. and I loved seeing his orange toque steadily bobbing along down our road whenever we’d pass him on the way in to school. His cheerfulness, acceptance, wit and genuine care for others were second to none. He was a wonderful human and one of my favourite teachers at RCI. I have many great memories from my classes (getting to paint my favourite quote on his classroom wall at the end of the school year), track and field (convincing me to run in a hurdles event 2 ages above mine just so we had an RCI runner in the race) and random interactions with him (getting some farm fresh eggs from his house on random Sundays and having a chat). He was one of a kind and I hope he realized the huge positive impact he left on so many. Sending my warmest thoughts and condolences to his wife, boys, family, colleagues, former students and anyone else who loved him. ❤️

We were saddened to hear the news - our condolences to Tracey, Nick, Jacob and Steve. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Roger was mischievous and fun, with a huge heart that led him to generously give as a coach and a teacher throughout his career at R.C.I. He was always ready to offer a different perspective, something that I always appreciated (eventually). A great force for positivity, he was sorely missed when he retired, and more so now.

I’m so saddened to hear that Roger has passed.   Condolences to his family.  He is remembered as being so kind with a gentle smile.   We lived on Pucker Street and he was so patient as my beagles greeted him every single day when he’d run past the house.   Our sons played soccer together, he coached our boys in track and field and he’d always stop to say hello when we’d run into each other. 
condolences from the McLeod family

We are so sad to learn of Roger’s passing.  He was one of the best teachers and mentors anyone could hope for.
Rest in peace, Mr P

Matthew and Jodie (Armstrong) Brydges

Mr.Poirier was one of the best high school teachers I ever had. Even if I wasn’t interested in the subject, I took it anyways because he was the teacher and I knew he would make it interesting. I remember painting quotes on the school walls with him, I remember him letting us write quotes all over the chalk boards, I remember him talking to us about his life and him letting us talk to him about ours. He was someone we could trust, confide in and be ourselves. High school was hard for so many kids, but I believe Mr.Poirier made it easier for them. Driving by him jogging on Puker street, training for those marathons, in his orange toque… he was a true inspiration.  You will forever hold a place in my heart. 

Love, 

Michelle Eady (a former high school student of his)

Sending  the family my deepest condolences.  He was my favourite teacher, I still tell stories about his classes. He had the brightest mind and found the greatest ways to teach! He was amazing !

Loved Mr. Poirier!!! He was an amazing teacher who was innovative and took the time to speak and make each and every one of his students feel special. He was a great role model and  inspired others to do their best! So sad to hear of his passing. I will remember him always!

Roger was a wonderful colleague at Renfrew Collegiate. My daughter was lucky enough to be coached by him throughout high school in cross country and track and field. My condolences to the family.  May your memories sustain you at this difficult time.

He always had a twinkle in his eye! He brought much happiness to people around. Students , staff and friends will have may fond memories of Roger!
Gord Eady

Roger was a passionate teacher, and throughout his career had inspired his students, and provided them with a valuable education. 

He will be missed. I wished I had visited the last time I was around. However I’ll never forget the last time we had spoken. Condolences to his family and loved ones.

Sorry for your loss and accept our deepest sympathy.
Leon and Venda

Dear Tracey, Nick, Jacob and Steve,
Please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss.   I recall Roger as a fine, decent man.  
He made you smile so brightly Trace.   
With love,
Peg

OBITUARY

Roger Poirier

20 February, 1961 – 28 November, 2024

Salon funéraire M. John Sullivan Funeral Home

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