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Francis Boulva Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Aug. 14 to Aug. 16, 2010.

OBITUARY FRANCIS BOULVA 1983 - 2010 After a short but valiant battle with cancer, Francis passed away peacefully on August 10, 2010, with his family by his side. Resident in pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), he was a caring doctor, a thoughtful colleague, a loyal friend and a loving son and brother. Francis is survived by his parents, Marie-Claude Lacroix and Ivan Boulva, his brother Olivier and reunites in heaven with his younger brother David, deceased in 1985. Francis will also be greatly missed by his grandparents, Therese and Aurele Lacroix, Claire and Francis Boulva, as well as by his uncles, aunts, cousins and by numerous colleagues and friends. Family and friends may gather at Complexe funeraire Urgel Bourgie, 1255 Beaumont Street, Town of Mount-Royal, on Monday, August 16 from 7 to 10 p.m. and on Tuesday, August 17 from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Funeral will be held at Saint-Joseph-de-Mont-Royal Church, 1620 Laird Blvd, Town of Mount-Royal, on Wednesday, August 18 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Francis Boulva Foundation at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital would be greatly appreciated. His family wishes to warmly thank the doctors and personnel of the Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus and of the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital for their hard work and devoted care.

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52 Entries

July 28, 2015

Pierre-Marc Gervais

Salut Francis,
Juste un petit mot pour te dire que j'ai pensé à toi quand la NASA a annoncé la découverte de l'exoplanète Kepler-452b. J'ai repensé à nos discussions sur l'équation de Drake et je suis persuadé que tu as maintenant la réponse. Merci de m'avoir fait tant découvrir et apprécier l'astronomie.

January 3, 2015

Jessica

So sad to see this. Dr. Francis was the first doctor to look at my daughter in the PICU and for some lucky reason, every time we had to return to CHEO he was our doctor. He was a great doctor and brought us great comfort during very difficult times. He was a great caring doctor. So very sorry for his passing, he will be missed.

December 28, 2014

Aaron Judah

I can't believe it took me this long to find out that Francis had passed on. Francis was a friend and a friendly rival back during our teenage years, when we would compete in the Science Fairs. I distinctly remembering thinking, when I was 14, that his science project was better than mine, and being deeply disturbed by this. It motivated me to keep working hard and to become a better scientist. For the next 4 years we would see each other at many other science competitions and I grew to have both a deep respect and admiration for my teenage rival. And of course a special friendship. After high school we lost track of one another but from what I have been reading, you grew into the fine young man that I knew you would be. I wish I had reached out to you sooner, brother. Rest in peace, Francis.

October 20, 2012

Je fût vraiment atterré d'apprendre le décès de Francis. Je l'ai connu adolescent et rencontré la dernière fois il avait 18 ans et se préparait à entrer à McGill en médecine. Toutes mes sympathies à ses parents et son frère Olivier ainsi que les autres membres de sa famille. Francine Villeneuve.

April 13, 2011

Julia Talajic

My sincere condolences to his Francis' family and close friends. I am so lucky to have met Francis in medical school. I'll always remember him as extraordinarily passionate, kind-hearted, generous, and most of all, hilarious. His humour and energy always brought I smile to my face. He was a positive contribution to everything he took part in. Thank you Francis for always uplifting me and being an inspiration. I'll miss you.

April 8, 2011

P. B.

I am a medical student at University of Ottawa, and I met Francis during my pediatrics rotation last year. What a lovely person he was. He was kind, so smart, and an excellent and patient teacher. I was so sad to hear of his passing. After reading through the messages here, it is obvious he touched the hearts of many. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace, Francis.

December 17, 2010

Katy Finlay

I was shocked to read of Francis' death in the Canadian Pediatric Society newsletter today. I am now a pediatrics resident in Edmonton and remember Francis being a great teacher and friend when I did an elective as a medical student in Ottawa. My sincerest condolences. His death is a tremendous loss to the pediatrics community.

November 3, 2010

Marie-Claude et Ivan Boulva

We wish to extend our warmest and deepest thanks to each and everyone who have written such beautiful tributes. Francis remains with all of you forever.

Merci de vos émouvants témoignages. Francis demeure avec vous tous pour toujours.

Posted by Marie-Claude et Ivan Boulva

October 12, 2010

Louis-Philippe Morand

Toutes mes sympathies à la famille. Il est un exemple de détermination et de courage.

Tu ne sombreras pas dans l'oubli Francis, les accomplissements de ton vivant ne sont pas l'ombre de ce qu'elles auraient dues être, mais elles sont tout de même exceptionnelles.

September 27, 2010

Deidre Date

I am so sorry to hear about Francis' recent passing. He was truly a treasure of the ISEF Team Canada, and respected by all of his teammates and fellow competitors. As the Director of Team Canada even to this day, my greatest pleasure was to see the joy in Francis face when we was awarded the Intel Scholarship.
He will be missed.

September 19, 2010

Athanasios Tsiodras

My deepest sympathies to the family of Francis. I was one of Francis' classmates in medical school and remember his passion for medicine and quick wit, quite vividly. He will not be forgotten.

September 9, 2010

Marie-Line Gilbert

Ce fut toujours un plaisir de partager la route avec toi entre Ottawa et Montréal. J'aurai désormais une pensée pour toi en regardant le ciel étoilé.

Mes plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis.

September 1, 2010

Sofia Guay

Francis, you make me want to be a better person. I will do my best every day to follow your lead. You were kindness incarnated. You passed through my life as quickly as a comet, but the ripple effect you have and will continue to have on me and others is only beginning to be felt.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones.

August 26, 2010

James Andruchow

I had the privilege of going to medical school with Francis. He was always full of life and energy, ready to learn and always doing his best. One of my fondest memories of Francis is his taking part in our Med Talent Show MedScrubs Video in which he played the role of the MED-P (Medically Engineered Doctor - Prototype) brilliantly. His ability to be naturally funny and spontaneous was truly remarkable. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to see him for the past few years, and I feel deeply for his family and friends. Francis you will be missed.

August 24, 2010

Chandra Vaidyanathan

My deepest sympathies to the family. His wonderful sonny smile that brought cheers to people around him will be missed. I enjoyed working with him. Will always cherish his warm & compassionate personality to colleagues & patients.
Dr.Chandra Vaidyanathan Ottawa Ontario

August 23, 2010

Steve Noseworthy

Such a terrible loss, My deepest sympathies go out to Francis's family, friends and colleagues. Franics leaves behind a legacy of joy and peace.

August 21, 2010

Martin Bernier

Quel jeune homme remarquable, à tous les égards ! Les mots manquent en cette période tragique. Mes condoléances les plus sincères aux proches.

August 20, 2010

Marcel Fortin

Je désire offrir mes sympathies à toute la famille de Francis qui nous a tant impressionné par sa détermination et sa grande jovialité ainsi que son dévouement. Marcel F. Brébeuf

August 20, 2010

Dr. Sandy Tse

My deepeest sympathy to the family for your great loss. Francis had a kind and compassionate personality. He touched all of us at the hospital with his warm and caring personality and he will be missed greatly by all of the staff here. In his senior year, he became one of the leaders that we could count on to come down and assess patients with a ready smile and an enthusiasm to contribute to the timely care of the patients we saw in the Emergency Department. It broke my heart to hear of his diagnosis and even more to hear of his passing. I just want you to know that Francis made a difference and that I am very proud to have known him.

August 18, 2010

Gabriel Altit

Mes sincères condoléances à la famille.

August 18, 2010

Aniko Foti

My heart goes out to the entire family for this terrible loss.

August 18, 2010

Meredith Muldoon Roy

I have just heard of the passing of Francis and my heart goes out to his family. He was an amazing doctor and person. My family was touched by his warm and caring personality and willingness to give hugs in times of sorrow as we met at CHEO last fall. What a loss.

August 18, 2010

Nicole St-Louis

Nos routes se sont croisées brièvement le temps d'un Champagne Galactique. Ça fait déjà presque dix ans; Francis était donc encore jeune à cette époque. Mais déjà toutes les qualités décrites dans ces témoignages étaient présentes: sa témérité, son enthousiasme débordant, sa passion sans borne, sa gentilesse, sa bonne humeur et aussi sa grande intelligence et vivacité d'esprit.

Malgré ma déception de le voir prendre une autre voie que l'astrophysique, je savais qu'il serait un des meilleurs en médecine et qu'il ferait beaucoup de bien autour de lui.

Quelle tristesse que la vie aie voulue que ce ne soit que pour une si courte période. Francis restera toujours présent dans mes souvenirs.

J'offre mes sinçères condoléances à la famille.

August 18, 2010

Martine Shareck

Mes plus sincères condoléances. Francis, tu nous a quittés beaucoup trop tôt, mais je suis certaine que tu en auras déjà inspiré plus d'un, et continueras de le faire.

August 17, 2010

Héctor Lisaso

Mis mas sinceras condolencias a la familia.
El amigo que esta en silencio con nosotros, en un momento de angustia o incertidumbre, que puede compartir nuestro pesar y desconsuelo. . . Y enfrentar con nosotros la realidad de nuestra impotencia, ése es el amigo que realmente nos quiere, fuerzas Amar!

August 17, 2010

Teresa Lo

My most sincere condolescenses. Francis and i were classmates at McGill. We shared two good year and a half together. Francis was a kind and enthusiastic person, always willing to help and always ready to commit himself in academic and social activities of all kinds. Good humoured, hard-working and kind, that is how I will always remember him. He will be missed dearly.

August 17, 2010

Louis Belzil

Sincères condoléances à toute la famille.

August 17, 2010

François Hoàng Tâm Pham

Francis,

nous nous sommes croisés plusieurs fois en secondaire et je connaissais déjà ta réputation dans les Expo-Sciences mais je ne savais pas grand chose d'autre sur toi. Maintenant que j'ai lu les témoignages de tous ceux que tu as touché durant ta trop courte vie, je m'en veux de ne pas avoir cherché à mieux te connaître.

Désormais, à chaque fois que je regarderai les étoiles, j'aurai une pensée pour toi. J'offre mes sincères condoléances à la famille Boulva et ses amis.

August 17, 2010

Judy Bagshaw

Marie-Claude and family:
Words cannot express how sorry I was to hear about the passing of your son Francis. My deepest condolences.

August 17, 2010

Cindy Judd

My sincere condolences to his family.

Francis was a very kind and caring doctor and made a difference in the lives of all the children and parents he helped. He was one of the first doctors to take care of my daughter at the Ottawa General and then in the NICU at CHEO. And I will always remember him fondly for all his care and devotion to her and us. He will be missed.

Cindy, Steve, Evan and our little angel Olivia Judd

August 17, 2010

Jennifer Matthews

Dear Marie-Claude and family,
I worked with you for a few years at Devencore and had met your boys on a few occasions. I am so deeply saddened to have heard about the passing of your son Francis, he was far too young and my heart truly goes out to you and your family.
My deepest condolences.

August 17, 2010

Karen McAulay

It is so unbeivable to me that you are gone... You will be greatly missed here at CHEO. Francis was one of the most kindest, caring, wonderful doctors I had ever worked with. He made a difference in everything he did.

My heart goes out to his family in this very difficult time.

August 16, 2010

Wei-Yin (Wein) Chien (BI 2002)

Mes sincères condoléances à la famille Boulva. Francis fut un camarade de classe durant le secondaire ainsi que lors de notre parcours au Baccalauréat international. Il fut également notre gardien de but au soccer dans une équipe récréative à l'université McGill. Francis était un homme de bien que j'avais plaisir à cotoyer. Je garderai de lui un souvenir très ému. Mes pensées sont avec vous.

August 16, 2010

Ziyad El Tagi

Francis, chaque fois que je vois un téléscope, je pense à tes projets d'Expo-Sciences à Brébeuf.

Te souviens-tu de ta grande passion pour l'astronomie? C'est à ces événements qu'on pouvait témoigner ta grande éloquence. C'est également aux soirées de concours litéraires à Brébeuf qu'on pouvait entendre ta jolie prose et unique poésie.

Il n'y a jamais eu de doutes dans aucun de nos esprits que tu étais doté d'une intelligence incomparable. Mais ce n'est pas seulement ta perspicacité qui nous revient à l'esprit, mais aussi ta gentillesse; tu étais vraiment une personne aimable.

Tu as donné envie à plusieurs de regarder plus loin encore. D'ailleurs, dorénavant, chaque fois que j'observerais les étoiles, je me souviendrais de toi.

Mes sincères condoléances à la famille Boulva; l'esprit de Francis subistera toujours.

August 16, 2010

Esther Cvirik

Our most sincerest condolences to you and your family at this most grievous time.Words cannot express our sympathy for your great loss.He was such an intelligent and compassionate young man.We had the honour of meeting Francis at Rebekah's graduation.He was a warm and caring kind man with an infectious smile. You could see how much he cared and loved our daughter,Rebekah. He will be greatly missed.

August 16, 2010

Que votre foi vous soutienne dans cette terrible épreuve. Que Marie "mater dolorosa" vous soutienne le long de votre chemin de croix.
Sincèrement
Marion Vandoni (autrefois de la Paroisse Saint-Joseph de Mont-Royal)

August 16, 2010

Kathleen Watkins

My sincere condolences to you and your family.

August 16, 2010

Anne Briggs

As part of the administrative team here at the McGill Faculty of Medicine, I will always hold fond memories of Francis. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed.

August 16, 2010

Marie-Claude, Ivan & Olivier, mon coeur est avec vous dans cette enorme perte. Je garderai toujours l'image du charmant garçon, du blagueur, de l'heureux découvreur plein de projets & d'accomplissements.
Toute mes condoléances,

Danielle Sauvé, Colorado

August 16, 2010

Louis Massue Jr.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

August 16, 2010

R.I.P. Francis! He was one of the smartest people I ever met in my life.. My sincere condolences to his family.

August 16, 2010

Paul-Vahe Cicek

Le chemin de Francis et le mien se sont souvent longes et entrecroises. Au secondaire a Brebeuf, au BI, a l'expo-sciences, dans l'equipe de soccer a McGill dont il etait le gardien a l'enthousiasme inebranlable. Francis m'a toujours impressionne par sa determination et son ouverture. J'offre mes sinceres condoleances a ses proches, et je suis bien peine qu'il n'ait pas eu le temps d'accomplir tout ce dont il etait certainement capable. Cependant, je sais qu'il a change le monde en le rendant un peu meilleur. Moi, en tout cas, il m'aura marque, et je ne l'oublierai pas.

August 16, 2010

Mathieu Hetu

Mes plus sinceres condoleances a toute votre famille. Chaque fois que j'ai croisé Francis à Brébeuf dans le cadre des exposciences, il était toujours souriant et posé. Il semblait doté d'une grande capacité d'écoute de l'autre. Je ne peux pas croire aujourd'hui qu'il soit déjà parti... Je joins mes pensées et prières aux vôtres en ces circonstances difficiles.

August 16, 2010

Andrea McDaniel

I will always remember Francis' infectious smile, enthusiasm, and courtesy. He was goal-oriented and driven but never let that get in the way of communicating kindness, care, and appreciation. My deepest condolensces to his family.

August 16, 2010

Yvan and family,

I am so very deeply sorry to hear about your loss. I know that words cannot take the pain away, but know that your son is no longer in pain. Time will heal your pain and sorrow.
God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Gail Gilbert-Leclerc

August 15, 2010

Joyce Pickering

I remember Francis well - he was an active member of our curriculum committee while in medical school at McGill, and always energetic, enthusiastic and smiling. He had great potential, and his death is a great tragedy. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

August 15, 2010

Diane Craig

Francis I will miss your smiling face, your dedication to the children and families here at CHEO, your wonderful humour and so much more. I cannot tell you how many parents in NICU were so comforted knowing that you were watching over their little ones. I always knew I could call you and you would come and give your support to not only our families but to us as well. Your tender touch said it all. It truly says something about you Francis, when all of CHEO is in mourning because we have lost such a great man, and doctor. We are all so sad.
I will be keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers, and smiling up to you above. Your spirit will remain at CHEO and we will remember you forever.

To Francis's family, please know you raised such a truly great, kind man, who made such a difference in so many lives. The world will not be the same without him.
A big hug and smile to you Francis my friend. Gone way to soon.

Diane Craig (RN NICU CHEO)

August 15, 2010

Silvana Di Lollo

Francis's smiling face will never be forgotten and how personable and sweet he was. He would never go by the office without a hello. My deepest sympathies to the family and on behalf of the undergraduate medical education office, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University our thoughts are with you.

August 15, 2010

Anonymous

Rest in Peace...

August 14, 2010

Tara Kitts

I will always remember that Francis was one of the brightest young people I have ever met. He was not only incredibly intelligent, but he also exuded a radiant and happy light from within - his optimism was contagious.
Please know that I have Francis and all his family in my prayers.

August 14, 2010

St. Joseph church

The parish community of St.Joe's in Ottawa and most espeically those who attended the young adult mass are deeply blessed to know Francis and to carry him now in their hearts. We are saddened and shocked and we send our deepest prayers to Francis' family. We also want you to know that we held a prayer service for him on Friday evening and that Fr. Jack will be saying Mass for Francis on Wednesday.
Francis certainly lived - and he certainly loved and shared a compassion for people that provided so much healing to o many people. We wil miss him deeply.
Our hearts and prayers go out to Francis Family.
- St.Joseph Church, Ottawa and from Mary Murphy, Pastoral Associate.

August 14, 2010

Laura Strachan

My sincere condolences to Francis' family during this incredibly difficult time. I remember Francis' first days at CHEO...so eager to learn everything and so respectful of the families and patients he worked with. He was truly in his element taking care of the youngsters and his compassion and wit will be greatly missed. One of my children has great memories of him as they walked hand in hand to the O.R., through the long corridors, squatting down and quacking like a duck - both of them quite a sight! I'm praying that you're able to find strength and comfort from your family and friends over the coming days. Francis, you were a wonderful friend to me, I'll miss all our night shift chats.

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