Le´be´a Desmarais) left us peacefully at his home in St-Lambert, Quebec after a full and
happy life of family, friends, business, politics and volunteer work. Louis was
predeceased by his wife and best friend of 65 years, Lucille (ne´e Normand) in
December 2014. Survived by his six children: Nicole (Michel), Monique, Natalie, Louis
(Susan), Luc (Duanpen) and Bernard; his nine grandchildren: Philippe (Anne-
Pascale), Marc (Christine), Alexandre, Justin, Alicia (Skye), Caroline, Matthew (Noa),
Caroline, Jean-Noe¨l and Maxime; and his nine great-grandchildren: Axel, Emeric,
Timothe´e, Jack, Henry, Elliot, Shirel, Keira and Ele´onore. Louis also leaves behind his
sisters and brother: Yolande, Jeannine (the late Antonin Proulx), Franc¸oise (the late
Remy Le Poittevin) and Robert (Jeanne), and as predeceased by his brothers Dr. Jean-
Noe¨l Desmarais (the late Colette Michaud), Pierre Desmarais (Guylaine) and Paul
Desmarais (Jacqueline). Louis graduated from the University of Ottawa and McGill
University and began a long and distinguished career, which included co-founding of
accounting firm of Desmarais, Parisien in Sudbury, Senior Partner of accounting firm
Courtois, Fredette in Montreal, President of Dupuis et Fre`res, President of Voyageur
Bus Lines, CEO of Canada Steamship Lines and Vice-Chairman of Power Corporation
of Canada. Louis also served on the Boards of Directors of Mercantile Bank of Canada,
Montreal Expos Baseball Club, Soconav Ltd, Port of Montreal, Canadian Home
Insurance Company, Texasgulf Inc., American Management Association and Canada
Development Corporation. Louis was actively engaged in politics, beginning as Deputy
Mayor of the City of Sudbury, where he was named first “Honorary Citizen” of the City
of Sudbury, followed by President of the Council for Canadian Unity, federal Member of
Parliament for the Quebec riding of Dollard, Parliamentary Secretary to the
Department of Labour and Chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
For leisure, Louis always looked forward to playing golf with family members and his
many friends at Mount Bruno Country Club, where he was a member for over 40 years.
Louis was a consummate “bon pe`re de famille” to his children, to his employees, to his
constituents and to his friends, and he will be greatly missed. The Desmarais family
would like to extend particular thanks to Dr. Brais, Ade´line Desjardins, and to the
management and staff of Les Jardins Inte´rieurs for their special care and assistance
over many years. A private family memorial service will be held in Montreal in April,
2017.
Les funérailles sont organisées par : Centre funéraire Côte-des-Neiges Inc., Montreal, QC.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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