Roger HAMEL

Roger de Beaufort Hamel, born in Ottawa on February 15th, 1929, to Fernand and Barbara Hamel, and predeceased by his two brothers Jean (Pat) and Guy (Yvette); passed away peacefully on July 24, 2024, in Magog, Quebec, at the age of 95. He is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Louise (née Boyer), his children Joanne (Dugie), Richard (Cherie), and Hélène, his grandchildren JD (Christine), Peter (Caroline), Stephen (Emily), Christopher (Amanda), Michael (Morgan), Gabrielle, and Jonathan, and his great-grandchildren Sophie, Charlie, Jacqueline, Eloise, Brooklyn and Lincoln. Roger earned his BSC and BA (1950) from the University of Ottawa and completed his BENG (1954) from McGill University. His career began in 1954 with Imperial Oil Ltd., where he worked at various locations in eastern Canada and had a posting to the Esso Petroleum Company in London, England. Later in his career, he was appointed President of Champlain Oil Products. Following his retirement from Imperial Oil, he was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, headquartered in Ottawa. Throughout his life, Roger served on numerous boards, including the National Museums of Canada and the Sun Life Trust Company. He was a member of the Order of Engineers of Quebec, and the Engineering Institute of Canada. In 1990, the University of Ottawa awarded him an Honorary Doctorate. Roger was also a recipient of the Jubilee and Confederation medals. Roger had a profound love of reading, as evidenced by his cherished collection of Proust works. Weekends were often spent reading multiple newspapers, with a special fondness for the New York Times Sunday edition. Active throughout his life, whether skiing down University Avenue while at McGill U, to walking, tennis, golf, or winter sports, his physical fitness kept him healthy well into his nineties. His passion for art was made evident through his photography or his carving tiny seagulls in driftwood, on Maine family holidays. However, it was only after retiring that he had the time to pursue his true creative love, painting landscape scenes and still life, both of which his family treasures. His children were also fortunate to benefit from his keen interest in traveling. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff at Residence Memphremagog and the 4th floor staff at the CHSLD, in Magog for their wonderful care and good humour during Roger's stay, which began in 2018, at the Residence and this summer at the CHSLD. Visitation will take place at Charron et Lamoureux funeral complexe, on Saturday, August 31st, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by a service in the Memorial chapel at 11:30 a.m. A private interment will take place at a later date, at the Notre-Dame Cemetery, in Ottawa. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Fondation de l'hopital Memphremagog would be appreciated.