Gilles DESJARDINS

With great sadness we announce the passing of Gilles Desjardins, peacefully, at the age of 80, in Montreal on February 6, 2024, surrounded by his close family. After a diagnosis of serious illness, Gilles was lovingly cared for at home by his wife of 51 years, Mary Farrell, and their only son, Jean-Rémi. Gilles grew up on the family farm in Saint-Denis-de la Bouteillerie, Quebec, the eldest of eight children born to Georges Desjardins and Antoinette Morneau. He received his secondary education at Collège Sainte-Anne in La Pocatière and at Collège des Jésuites in Québec City. In 1968, he graduated with a Masters in Economics from Laval University, and subsequently received bursaries for post graduate studies in France and in England. Gilles' career in telecommunications and broadcasting led him to senior executive positions in the Department of Communications in Ottawa, Vidéotron in Montreal, international consulting and lastly CBC/Radio-Canada-RDI and ARTV. He made his mark in the communications industry in many positive and important ways, notably in the areas of satellite telecommunications, broadcasting policy, cable television, the international francophonie, and the introduction and expansion of new French television services for news and the arts. In addition to his wife and son, Gilles is survived by his siblings, Louis (Florence Laplante), Jean (Denise Marion), René, Hélène (Daniel Messier); and predeceased by his parents and siblings, Louise (the late André Nolet), Pierre (Johanne Fontaine), and Claude. He also leaves behind his godchild and beloved niece, Annie Desjardins; godchild, Nikita Stepin; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and close friends. A Funeral Mass will be held at the church in Gilles' hometown of Saint-Denis-de la Bouteillerie, in the Kamouraska region of Quebec on Saturday, July 6th, at 2:30 p.m., followed by a reception in the Chapelle de la grève. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the parish church of Saint-Denis for its restoration project - one very dear to Gilles' heart. Address and internet link: Fabrique de St-Denis,1 rue de l'Église, St-Denis-de-la-Bouteillerie, QC, G0L 2R0, www.zeffy.com/fr-CA/donation-form/dc8d3d22-bb3f-4629-8cbc-0554d1be895.