Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of Michel. He was not only a renowned scholar but, above all, a deeply generous person.

Although I had only taken one of his doctoral courses and was not one of the students he supervised, he always treated me with great kindness and consideration, taking the time to respond thoughtfully and promptly to my emails, even in the evenings and on weekends. 

My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. I hope you find some comfort in knowing how much he was respected and appreciated, and how warmly he will be remembered.

I was deeply saddened to hear about Dr. Laroche’s passing.

I had the privilege of being one of his master’s students at Concordia University, and I will always be grateful for his guidance, patience, and support throughout my studies. He was not only a wonderful professor and mentor but also a genuinely kind and caring person.

I will always remember him with great respect and appreciation. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace.

Dear Marie-Odile,
I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of  Michel's passing, and I'm so sorry for your loss. He was a respected colleague and a truly good professor, and his dedication and kindness touched many of us. He will be greatly missed.
With deepest sympathy,
Jamshid Etezadi

My deepest condolences on the passing of Dr. Laroche. Having had the opportunity to attend his conference in 2023, present my work, and receive his guidance, expertise, and kindness was truly special. To know that Dr. Michel Laroche played a part in naming me is an honour I will always cherish. Thinking of him and his beautiful family during this difficult time.

Michelle

I am deeply saddened by the news of Dr. Laroche’s passing, and I am still in shock. It is very difficult to believe that he is no longer with us.

I sent him an email on September 21 and found it unusual that he never responded, as he was always so quick to reply to emails. I never imagined that I would be hearing such heartbreaking news.

Dr. Laroche was not only my PhD supervisor but also a wonderful mentor and an exceptionally kind and caring person. He genuinely cared about his students, always supported them, and was willing to help whenever they needed him. I will always be grateful for his guidance, encouragement, and kindness throughout my academic journey.

He will be deeply missed, but his kindness and the positive impact he had on his students will never be forgotten.

My condolences go to his wife, Marie-Odile, his twin sons, and the entire family during this incredibly difficult time.

Rest in peace, Dr. Laroche. You will always be remembered with great respect, gratitude, and affection.

Dr. Michel Laroche was far more than a supervisor to me—he was an extraordinary mentor and guiding light whose wisdom, rigor, and generosity profoundly shaped my academic journey and career. His unwavering dedication to his students and enduring impact on our field will never be forgotten, and I will carry his guidance and kindness with me always. Celebrating his remarkable 81 years of life, I hope the beautiful memories we  shared bring peace and strength to our hearts. He will be deeply missed.

Rong Li

I was heartbroken to learn of Dr. Laroche’s passing. Words cannot fully express how much he meant to me. My journey with Dr. Laroche began in 2016 at Concordia University. Over the five years leading to my graduation in 2021, he was not only my advisor but a constant source of wisdom, encouragement, and unconditional support. He was a true beacon in my life, and I will deeply miss his warm smile, sharp intellect, and generous spirit. 

Crossing paths with him at conferences in recent years always reaffirmed what an extraordinary educator and human being he was—always encouraging, always thoughtful, and forever invested in my growth.

Dr. Laroche’s influence will remain a guiding light in my academic and personal life. I will carry his memory with deep reverence and immense gratitude. My deepest sympathies, thoughts, and prayers are with you, Marie-Odile, Geoffroy, and Philippe.

Rong  Li

Michel Laroche was such a remarkable scholar and mentoring model that knowledge of his passing was devastating for me.
I participated in numerous conferences attended and organized by Michel as well as most of his biannual cross-cultural seminars at Concordia in Montreal.
He recommended me for my visiting position at Kansai University in Osaka and for my subsequent position at Sophia University in Tokyo. While on sabbatical from Sophia in 2007, he invited me to his home in the town of Mount Royal for a delicious traditional Belgian meal prepared by his wife Marie-Odile and introduced me to his twin very young children.
I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Marie-Odile, Geoffry and Philippe.
Emmanuel Chéron

(suite du message)

À ton épouse, si brutalement privée de ta présence et de l’avenir qu’elle imaginait à tes côtés, nous adressons toute notre affection. Nous partageons son immense peine et souhaitons qu’elle puisse trouver un peu de réconfort dans l’amour qui l’entoure et dans les souvenirs précieux de votre vie ensemble. Malgré la distance qui nous sépare, nos pensées les plus tendres l’accompagnent.

À tes deux garçons, nous souhaitons un avenir heureux. Puissent ton parcours, tes valeurs et tout ce que tu leur as transmis demeurer pour eux une source de force et d’inspiration.
Estelle et Viviane se joignent à la peine de la famille.

Tu vas profondément nous manquer, notre grand frère bien-aimé. En nous quittant, tu rejoins aussi nos parents dans nos pensées et dans nos cœurs, comme si le lien qui nous unit à eux se prolongeait à travers toi.

Tu reposeras désormais auprès de la famille de ton épouse, mais tu demeureras à jamais présent dans nos cœurs et dans nos souvenirs.

Repose en paix. Nous ne t’oublierons jamais.
Nous t’envoyons nos baisers les plus affectueux.

Nicole Laroche 
Salomon Laroche

Michel, 
Notre grand frère, la fierté de nos parents, tu as été pour nous tous un phare, un exemple et une source d’inspiration.

Dès ton plus jeune âge, tu t’es distingué par tes brillantes capacités, ton sérieux et tes réussites, toujours accompagnés d’une grande modestie.
Ta remarquable carrière au Canada, dans la recherche et le domaine du marketing, t’a valu de nombreux prix et distinctions. Tes travaux, tes écrits et ton professionnalisme laisseront une empreinte durable.

Mais au-delà de tes réussites, nous garderons aussi le souvenir de ta générosité, notamment envers les nombreux étudiants que tu as aidés et accompagnés dans leurs études. Tu as partagé tes connaissances et contribué à ouvrir des chemins à ceux qui en avaient besoin. Cet héritage humain est tout aussi précieux que tes accomplissements professionnels.

Même après avoir pris ta retraite, tu avais encore tant de projets et tant de choses à transmettre. Ton départ, si soudain, nous laisse désemparés, avec le sentiment douloureux que tant de moments restaient encore à partager.
                                                                            …….,,,

                                (suite dans le message suivant)

Michel, mon grand frère, pour qui j’avais une admiration et une grande affection , j’ai eu un grand choc quand j’ai appris ta disparition soudaine.
Tu as toujours été d’une grande gentillesse et toujours avec modestie.
Nous étions tous très fiers de ta réussite dans les études et de ta brillante carrière dans le domaine du Marketing.
Tes prix , tes écrits, l’enseignement que tu as transmis resteront à jamais gravés dans la mémoire collective.
À ton épouse et à tes enfants, nous souhaitons beaucoup de courage et nous nous associons à leur peine.
Repose en paix, mon grand frère.

Danielle Moraux et ses filles

A great scholar and thesis supervisor. I will miss him greatly. My heartfelt condolences to Marie-Odile, Geoffroy and Philippe.

I am very sad to learn of the passing of my colleague and friend, Dr. Michel Laroche. I have the highest regard for Michel. May almighty GOD bless his soul with peace and give strength to his family to bear this great loss.
Mahesh Sharma CM

I spent many decades as Michel's colleague at JMSB in the marketing department.  I am saddened by this sudden news.  Please accept my deepest and most sincere condolences.  Rest in peace, Michel.

We lost a friend, a great mentor, a humble scholar! We will miss you but keep all we have learned from you. I cherish the memories. The picture is from 2019 Swansea, UK. You kindly accepted my invite and stayed with your family for a week. I wish Marie-Odile, Geoffroy and Philippe strength in this difficult time. I hug you in spirit! With love, Hatice Kizgin

Michel was a wonderful and inspiring person to anyone that knew him. His ongoing work with his students was amazing. His warm heart will always be remembered. I attended almost everyone of the Royal Bank Cross-cultural conferences he conducted there at Concordia every other year. They were professionally conducted and allowed me to meet and interact with academics from around the world. I owe much gratitude to Michel's steadfast support and organization of this conference for many decades. Dear Marie-Odile and Michel's sons, Michel was very special and will be missed greatly by people all over the world! My greatest sympathies...

Sharon Beatty, University of Alabama.

I am deeply saddened to hear of Dr.Laroche's passing. Dr.Laroche was my master’s advisor Lefa’s advisor, so I always affectionately called him my “academic grandfather.”

I first met him 12 years ago in Montreal, when I gave my very first academic presentation. I still fondly remember my first winter in Montreal in 2018, when Dr.Laroche and Marie warmly welcomed me and prepared traditional food to celebrate Epiphany together. It was such a special memory that I will always cherish.

Dr.Laroche's kindness, encouragement, and lifelong passion for research and mentoring young scholars deeply inspired me to pursue my own PhD journey. Now, as an assistant professor myself, I feel especially grateful for the example he set. Even years after our first meeting, he continued sending Chinese New Year greetings to his students, including me, reflecting how thoughtful and caring he was.

My deepest condolences to Marie, Geoffroy, Philippe, and the entire Laroche family. Dr.Laroche was not only an outstanding scholar but also a truly kind and generous person. His legacy will live on through the many students and scholars he inspired. 

He will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace.

Dear Marie-Odile, Geoffory and Philippe,

I was deeply shocked to learn of the passing of Dr. Laroche on September 25, 2026. My graduate student Xiajing Zhu shared this sad news with me last night, China time, and I am overcome with profound grief.

I held Dr. Laroche in the highest esteem. Not only was he my PhD supervisor and an internationally renowned scholar with remarkable contributions to academia, but he was also extraordinarily kind, supportive and generous to all of us.

Since I graduated from Concordia in May 2003, I have kept Dr. Laroche’s birthday — March 15, 1945 — in my mind every year. For the subsequent 22 years, Dr. Laroche received two bottles of wine, one white and one red, accompanied by flowers each March 15. My friends in Montreal delivered them on my behalf.

In later years, Dr. Laroche commuted to the United States weekly, as Marie-Odile was working at an American university. I feared the flowers might suffer frost damage in cold weather, so I asked my friends to send only the two bottles of wine. Once online shopping became convenient, I — more often my wife Lily — ordered the wines online for delivery to his home every March 15.

It has been my great privilege to uphold this tradition for 22 years. Without exception, I would receive a thank-you note from Dr. Laroche on that very day.

A remarkable supervisor. I will cherish his memory forever.
He will always live in my heart.

Lefa

I was deeply shocked and heartbroken to hear this very sad news. As one of his earliest cohorts of Ph.D. students, I feel a profound personal loss of my supervisor, Dr. Michel Laroche. It is difficult to put into words how much he meant to me, both as a supervisor and as a mentor who had such a lasting influence on my academic life.

I will always remember him with the deepest respect and gratitude—not only for his outstanding scholarship and expertise, but also for his extraordinary kindness, generosity, patience, and unwavering support. In those days, he seemed to be in his office seven days a week, always available, even on Saturdays and Sundays. Looking back, I am still touched by his dedication and the time and care he gave so generously to me. I feel truly privileged to have been one of his Ph.D. students. 

I still vividly remember when he visited the University of Guelph in the late 1990s to receive his Honorary Doctor of Science degree. It was a truly special occasion, and I felt deeply honoured to be there to witness that recognition of his outstanding scholarly contributions. 

My heart goes out to Marie-Odile, Geoffroy, and Philippe at this very difficult time. I sincerely hope they can find some comfort in knowing how deeply Dr. Michel Laroche was respected and how much he was appreciated by the people around.

Dear Marie-Odile, Geoffroy, and Philippe,

I am deeply saddened by Dr. Laroche’s passing. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. My thoughts are with all of you during this painful time.

Dr. Laroche had a profound influence on my life. His guidance, kindness, and generosity helped shape the scholar and person I am today. I will always be grateful for his support and for the time and care he devoted to me.

I cherish the memories of visiting your family in Montreal after my graduation and of my last visit to you in New Jersey several years ago. The warmth you all shared with me made those visits special, and I will always treasure them.

Dr. Laroche’s legacy lives on through his scholarship and the many people he mentored. For me, that legacy is deeply personal. I will carry his lessons and example with me and remember him with love and gratitude.

Please know that I am thinking of you and sharing in your sorrow. Sending you all my love and deepest sympathy.

Zhiyong

Michel, I will miss you deeply. We first met in 2009, and I will always treasure the years of shared work and friendship that followed.

You were generous with your time, always ready to help, and I knew I could count on you.

Beyond all you achieved, you had a special gift for bringing people together. I hope the circle of colleagues and friends you helped create will endure as part of your legacy.

My thoughts and affection are with Marie-Odile, Geoffroy and Philippe, whose friendship I also hold dear.

We have lost a legend and a dear friend. Thank you, Michel, for everything.

Boris

I am very sad to hear that Michel has passed. He was a great friend, and lifelong mentor. I was privileged to have Michel as my thesis supervisor, both for my MSc and PhD degrees, and I spent nearly 8 years as his research assistant. He was one of the most influential people in my life, and I am forever grateful for his mentorship, friendship, and support. He will always live in my heart, and as one of the greatest legends of the field of marketing. My deepest condolences to Marie-Odile, Geoffroy and Philippe. 
Mark Cleveland, Western University (Ontario, Canada)

Michel,
I cannot thank you enough for your trust and your guidance over the years. You were always there for me. I will miss you dearly.

My heart is with your family.

Thank you.
Nathaniel MH

Michel, mon grand frère que j’admirais tant, je croyais que tu étais un roc. Ta présence et ta gentillesse vont me manquer.
À jamais dans mon cœur.Momy

Michel, 

I will certainly miss you and cherish the memories of the work we did together, but also of the many times we shared good food and wine.  You remain with me in spirit!

Barry

Nous avons été profondément bouleversé d'apprendre la disparition de mon frère Michel. 
Perdre un frère — quelqu'un qui partage ton histoire et tes souvenirs depuis l'enfance de Rabat à Bayonne— est une épreuve immense que les mots peuvent difficilement apaiser. 
Je me souviendrai toujours de sa gentillesse et de sa générosité.  
Son expertise professionnelle en Marketing du Consommateur et sa notoriété étaient reconnues et recompensés mais il était resté  très modeste.  
Nous pensons très fort à son épouse et à ses deux garçons dans cette douloureuse épreuve. 
Qu'il repose en paix dans le royaume céleste.
Gérard & Murielle Laroche
Steve & Lucas Laroche

OBITUARY

Michel Laroche

15 March, 1945 – 25 September, 2026

Centre funéraire Côte-des-Neiges

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