Louis R. DESMARAIS

DESMARAIS, Louis R. , FCA
1923 – 2017
Louis R. Desmarais (born February 16, 1923 in Sudbury, Ontario to Jean-Noël and Lébéa 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 (née 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-Noël and Maxime; and his nine great- grandchildren: Axel, Emeric, Timothée, Jack, Henry, Elliot, Shirel, Keira and Eléonore. Louis also leaves behind his sisters and brother: Yolande, Jeannine (the late Antonin Proulx), Françoise (the late Remy Le Poittevin) and Robert (Jeanne), and was predeceased by his brothers Dr. Jean-Noël 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 Frères, 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 père 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, Adéline Desjardins, and to the management and staff of Les Jardins Intérieurs for their special care and assistance over many years. A private family memorial service will be held in Montreal in April, 2017.