Vincent Robert Verrault

With a generous spirit as rich and diverse as the many interests that filled his life, Vince Verrault had a tremendous impact on everyone he met. He had a sharp wit and a knack for teasing with impeccable timing. He was warm, inquisitive, thoughtful, loyal and was unquestionably supportive of his friends and family. He loved Melanie and his chocolate labs, and took pride in the successes of those he held dear. As we mourn his passing on April 5, 2024, we take comfort in knowing that many share our profound sense of loss at a life ended far too soon.

Predeceased by his parents, Joan Nolan and Robert Verrault, Vince is survived by his wife Melanie and stepdaughters Jennifer, Stephanie and Natalie, his sister Kathleen (Greg), nephews Zachary (Ann) and Alexander, and a wide circle of aunts, uncles and cousins in the Verrault and Nolan families.

We express our deepest gratitude to the incredible team at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute for their outstanding care and compassion. They also colluded with Vince to ensure his wedding to Melanie on April 4 was such a happy occasion. Instead of flowers, the family encourages donations in Vince’s memory to the Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation (https://foundation.ottawaheart.ca/give/). We also invite you to share your favourite Vince quote or memories, which can be submitted online at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/ottawa-on/vincent-verrault-11759417/add-memory

The family will be holding a private Celebration of Life, with plans to lay Vince to rest in Quebec City later this year.

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Vincent Robert Verrault was born in Quebec City on July 29, 1970. His parents, Joan and Bob, and older sister Kathleen were very excited to welcome Vince as the final member of their family, and shortly after his birth returned to their home in Gander, Newfoundland. Guided by Bob’s love of the outdoors, family time in Newfoundland included many fishing and camping trips in the company of loved ones and friends. These activities were a common thread throughout Vince’s life, and became lifelong passions.

When Vince was three, Bob’s career in the Canadian military took the family to Bagotville and then Valcartier, QC. As Quebec City was “home” for Joan and Bob, they chose to settle in the area permanently and built a home in Shannon, where Vince spent his formative years. Where Bob loved the outdoors, it was Joan who set the stage for life at 19 Gosford Road. Throughout his life, Vince embraced her example as the consummate host who always had the right dishes for the meal being served, and like her excelled at everything he put his mind to, and was a true friend who seemed to always know the right thing to say.

What will be surprising to those who met Vince as an adult, academia was not his forte and his school years at DDO, Quebec High School and St. Lawrence College were better defined by his love of basketball, where his determination superseded a physique not inherently well-suited to the sport. But, as with most things Vince tackled, he persevered and made his mark.

This also was true as he continued his academic journey in Ottawa. As Vince pursued higher education, it was likely his exacting eye for detail and innate appreciation for design that led him to the Architectural Technician co-op program at Algonquin College. From there, he attended the University of Ottawa where he earned a Bachelor of Arts, with a concentration in Psychology.

Upon entering the professional world, Vince quickly built a reputation as a straight shooter guided by an ethical compass that was unparalleled. The last sixteen years of his career were spent working for CBRE as part of their Digital & Technology team, most recently serving as Group Vice-President for Global Workplace Solutions. Messages received this past week from colleagues near and far, old and new, reflected the incredible and lasting impact Vince had as an admired leader, consummate professional, mentor and friend to all who worked with him. Much as in his personal life, Vince’s enthusiasm and positive outlook were infectious and his genuine care for others was evident in his action and words. Our family is so honoured, as we know Vince would have been too, to learn that following his passing CBRE established the Vince Verrault Spirit Award, which will be awarded to a CBRE employee who exemplifies the outstanding example Vince set as a team member, leader and friend.

To Vince’s many friends and colleagues, he was a super enthusiast who dove into his passions – leadership, basketball, hiking, martial arts, adventure racing, skiing and cycling. And when his health forced him to slow down, he directed his energy and focus to perfecting cooking, cocktails, building models, camping; activities which he shared with Melanie. An avid reader and thinker, Vince had style and good taste, he was a collector of whiskey, books, tools and memorabilia. He was as quick with a witty remark as he was with a smile, and he was always great company. He loved to tell stories, and many of them dated to his days with the “Thursday Night Club” gang in his 20s, where lifelong friends and epic tales were made; worthy, all agreed, of a Friends-like sitcom in its own right. Vince appreciated the patina and ritual of iconic items like his father’s classic Coleman stove or the “screaming chicken” Pontiac Trans Am. Vince loved the finer things in life, but hot dogs and baloney sandwiches too.

He also loved Melanie immeasurably, and on Thursday, April 4 made her his bride. What began as a friendship founded on mutual respect and a shared commitment to martial arts, grew to an incredible partnership over their many years together. As they came together romantically, Vince’s family and friends embraced Mel and quickly saw what made her so very special to him.

In recent years, Mel joined Vince as he re-discovered camping and graduated from tents to an Airstream trailer. With their brown labs, Molly and Betty, in tow, Mel and Vince spent many weekends on the road. In true Vince style, camping nights were gourmet dinners with a red checkered tablecloth, fine wine and whisky by the fire, and Sunday mornings were always fried baloney and eggs.

Vince’s immediate family also included Melanie’s three daughters, Jennifer, Stephanie and Natalie. Similar to their mom, they met Vince as friends training together at the local dojo. As his love for their mother grew so too did his love for her girls, and he very proudly took on the role of stepdad always available to chat, and offer guidance and support.

Similar to his parents, Vince was never one to half do anything and he loved being part of his larger, extended family. He rarely missed a family get together whether at the Verrault homes, picnics on the Plains of Abraham or with the Nolans in Montreal or Trenton. In December each year Vince and Kathleen – later joined by Mel and Greg – came together for Cookie Weekend, which included Vince’s iconic cocktail party. Together they churned out countless dozens of cookies and, with his year-over-year tracking spreadsheet at the ready, Vince could tell you exactly how this year’s count compared to past years. The recipe for this event was equal measures of freshly baked Christmas cookies, expertly mixed cocktails, and laughter as friends and family came together to marvel at “the count”.

To quote Vince’s eulogy to his mother Joan: “We spend a lot of time looking at life’s grandiose accomplishments and forget how hard it is to get the basics right.” Like Joan, Vince got it right and most of the time it seemed effortless.