Pierre Courtois

1951 - 2022

COURTOIS, Pierre, Pierre Marie Antoine Courtois, 71, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away on June 27th after a three year battle with leukemia. Pierre was born on May 24, 1951 to George and Renee Courtois in Bayonne, France. He traveled the world as a young man, visiting and living in Morocco, India, Nepal, Afghanistan and other exotic locales. Returning to France, he graduated from the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris and the Universite Paris VII, where he majored in filmmaking. He then started a documentary film production company, working alongside notable international journalists in Paris and overseas.

Arriving in Richmond, Virginia, Pierre became a photographer at the Library of Virginia in 1990, when it was known as the Virginia State Library and Archives. He was instrumental in bringing their photography department into the digital age, many years ahead of other state agencies. He served simultaneously as photographer to the Governor of Virginia through eight administrations, from Gerald Baliles to Terry McAuliffe, and was the official photographer for the French Film Festival of Richmond, Virginia for 25 years. He was frequently sought after to document important events in the state by institutions like the State Council for Higher Education, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the Supreme Court of Virginia. He retired in 2020 after 30 years of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Pierre was passionate and meticulous in his work, often staying up all night to ensure that his photographs were utter perfection. He was admired by his colleagues in the field of press photography for his professionalism, warmth and congeniality. His personal charm and striking good looks even led to him being featured in local media in the 1990s as one of Richmond's sexiest men.

Along with his wife, Leslie, and daughter, Sally, his great loves were the Basque region of France where he was born, and the music of Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler. He had a mischievous sense of humor that always put others at ease, and he made connections with, and impressions upon, everyone he would meet. He was truly a unique and exceptional person.

Pierre was predeceased by his parents George and Renee Courtois, and his brothers Phillipe Courtois and Bernard Courtois. He is survived by his wife, Leslie Courtois, of Richmond, VA, daughter, Sally Courtois of New York, NY, sister Michele Brunel of Evry les Chateaux, France, and brothers Jean Marie Courtois of Annet-sur-Marne, France and Yves Courtois of Brie Comte Robert, France.