Jacques Ostiguy

Le Tirpitz. Tu m'as dessiné ce cuirassé des dizaines de fois. Il occupe régulièrement mon fond d'écran, ça me fait penser à toi.

In memoriam : Jacques Sutherland Ostiguy, 21 février 1946 -16 décembre 2010.

Designer, mentor et ami, depuis 10 ans disparu. Sur le sillage d’une brillante carrière, tu as transmis ta passion à une multitude de designers. Ta plume et ton verbe nous manquent toujours.

“There is no gift like friendship. Remember this - when you become a young man. For your fate will turn on the first true friend you make.”

Rudyard Kipling

I certainly miss my dear eccentric friend who always gave his most to everything he did. You were a very bright star on this earth. Forever in my heart Jacques.

What I said to him while he was alive. You are a fabulous friend, you are worthy of love and friendship, and of respect and joy. He was my fabulously creative friend and I miss him.

Mon ami Jacques, je te cherche depuis 1963. Je t'ai trouvé... J'ai reconnu la photo tout de suite. Merci pour ton dessin du Bismarck, pour ta compagnie chaleureuse, tes lettres dear Frank avec le beau F inversé que je te l'ai piqué pour ma signature.

Ton chum, pensionnaire avec toi a Brébeuf.

Au revoir Jacques, au revoir Papa Boule, veille sur nous tous... Judith xxxx

I was so sorry to hear of Jacques passing. Memories of him and times shared will be cherished.

You were a good teacher in Transportation Design. Thanks for the Syd Mead book and the Indigo Blue WST (watercolor splash technique). R.I.P.

I am so sad to hear of Jacque's death. When I knew him at Art Centre I was struck by his strong sense of history, technique and wicked humour.

Michael Gundy, Toronto

Jacquot,
Que de rendez-vous manqués!
Aurevoir Chou

Lison XXX

In Memory of J.S Ostiguy:

I studied with Jacques at Art Center College of Design , then in Los Angeles. He would frequently invite me to his apartment in Park La Brea for supper. On one occasion he suggested we visit a bar in the area which had the most garish Budweiser eagle he had ever seen. You won't believe it Mr Bowes, he crowed, it has a 6-foot wingspan! And there it was!

15 mars, 2011
Salut Jacques, c'est avec tristesse que j'apprends ton décès en ce mois de mars déjà trop gris...
Que de bonne conversations devant une bonne bière au Pub New Edinburg à Vanier , Ottawa.
Des soirées entières à refaire le monde... toi et ton humour parfois corrosif,...
C'était le début des années 90 et ensuite tu as quitté Ottawa pour la Californie, je crois...
Nous nous sommes perdus de vue car la vie parfois, nous amène vers d'autres contrées.
Mais souvent je pensais à toi et me demandais bien ou tu étais et qu'est-ce que tu devenais...
Je sais maintenant que ton esprit si brillant nous éclaireras encore pour plusieurs années...
Je souhaite aussi que tes ferraris rouges comme ton décor que tu avais à l'époque accompagne le grand homme que tu étais et qui as su garder son petit sourire d'enfant qui très tôt... savais déjà beaucuop....!
Bonne route mon ami! XXX

Jacques, the impact you had on us was immeasurable and your passion for design and life infectious. You taught us to appreciate the small details and challenged us to have grander visions. Your classes were tough, colourful, unique. Watching you sketch was awe inspiring, your love of cars taught us to look at form in a whole different light. You will be dearly missed.

My most sincere condolences to your family.

I have very fond memories of Jacques for whom I not only admired his immense talent and passion for design but also his generosity. He was always available and willing to share his experience with you. A passionate, humorous gentleman who has left an imprint on many of us.

My most sincere condolences to the family.

Jacques was more than just an inspirational and influential teacher. He lit up the room with his colourful analogies and critics, comparing toasters, staplers and what ever to the back end of a '57 Cadillac. Trying to choose the right colour of red was always a challenge with Jacques as he truly loved this chroma. I know this first hand as I was fortunate to have spent many evenings dining, discussing and just having a great time at his apartment while studying at Carleton. I could watch him draw for hours. He was truly great at this and I have yet to meet his match. It's been so long since we last spoke and this saddens me. My warmest condolences to your family. Au revoir Jacques.

Jacques,

I have kept tons of your sketches... and the memories of the so necessary design argumentation that shaped us all as your students. Of all the important lessons you discussed, the lesson where the realisation that we are sculptors of light united all the courses in the whole multidiciplinary program. It is this wholehearted approach to design that I remember the most from your teaching experience, thank you.

As a teaching colleague Jacques was an inspiration. I remember an occasion in which Jacques and I brainstormed some ideas for improving the students experience and Jacques amazed me with his ability to turn our word ideas into inspiring graphics which communicated in a glance. A gentleman in the best sense who will be missed by us all.

A formidable character who exuded design from every pore. Any and all of Jacques' students have stories and quotes gallore. Definitely one of a kind character who made Carleton University's School of Industrial Design a lasting and memorable experience. I hope knowing what an amazing impression you made on so many through your passion and and unwavering appreciation for design brought you joy. You will not be forgotten.

Dearest Jacques, I can't believe you are no longer with us. God bless your soul and your loved ones. You have always been the strongest influence on my career as an automotive/industrial designer. I have and always will cherish every moment you showed me how I could improve my abilities. I will never forget the private talks we had about the car-biz and what it would take to be part of it. And you said it best: "Be careful what you wish for, Raz. You just might get it." To this day, I have carefully guarded every sketch and every note that you ever let me keep with the hopes of someday being all that you were to me - a brilliant industrial designer with outstanding visualization skills and the ultimate car-guy. The effect of your mentoring will go on for generations as I have had the pleasure of teaching your techniques to others young and old. If it wasn't for your strong encouragement and dedication to our profession, I would never have achieved the dream I'm living today. Thank you, Jacques, for being part of our lives, making a difference, and guiding our future success. Your greatness will be remembered forever.

Jacques you will be missed, to our moments and talks, to cars and just watching you sketch. Always a pleasure, always a joy. Your insight, your humour, your style and talents were all appreciated and cherished.

My deepest condolences to his family, friends and students.

Canada has lost a true star, but you will always be remembered in our hearts.

To Jacques design was a feast that he wanted us to attend dressed in our best attire. In his unique way he made details come alive that most of us would have never noticed before and would never forget afterward. He did so with wit, flair, and an outrageous spontaneity that makes me smile when I think of him.

By any measure Jacques was an extremely talented and astute man who offered his students an unforgettable experience in design and life. His passion and character will be sadly missed.

I am saddened by our loss of a great man, a brilliant designer, and a passionate educator. I never forgot you since i studied under your tutelage. My heart goes out to the family and friends.

I’m very saddened to learn of Jacques’ passing. During the time we were colleagues at the School of Industrial Design, Carleton University, I got to know Jacques pretty well. He was a man whose passion for design informed every aspect of his wonderfully colourful character. A man who could napkin sketch a ’59 Chevvy tail light detail while recounting the cultural factors that affected the form, he loved to share his insights with friends, especially with his students. Sophisticated, impeccably dressed, and thoroughly at ease in both the French and English milieu, Jacques challenged, energized, inspired and entertained everyone in his circle. He has left a generation of young designers to help make Canada a better place. That’s quite a legacy.

You were so memorable and an inspirational teacher and individual to me. I most appreciated your rebellious attitude, honest commentary, wry wit, and your non-stop, wonderful car sketches. You were a true character and a favourite subject of Popovich's impressions. Jacques, you will be remembered fondly.

Jacques, mon ami, all of our discussions regarding so many topics over so many years; this I will remember and you I will miss.

Wayne.

It was an honor to have you, one of the greats, as my teacher. You have made a huge difference and contribution to my growth. Thank you

Un visionnaire de ce monde, qui a du pourtant tant soufrire. Le professeur qui m'aura le plus marque, celui que j'aurais le plus adore et qui m'aura appris a depasser mes peurs en creativite et aimer m'eclater.
Je suis profondement attristee par cette perte inoui de la vie et je me joint a la douleur de ses proches. Cependant sa grandeur en tant de points et son etat d'esprit restera dans nos esprits. Laetitia Levy

Thank so much for being my teacher, mentor, and role model. I will always remember your fearless fun-filled attitude about life and our profession. Thank you, Jacques.