News

April 27, 2023

The passing away of André Ouellet: A great volunteer dies

Deux-Montagnes, April 26, 2023 – One of Deux-Montagnes’ great volunteers passed away yesterday, April 25, 2023. Mr. André Ouellet, well known for his community spirit and his sense of solidarity, passed away. The City of Deux-Montagnes wishes to offer its most sincere condolences to Mr. Ouellet’s family and friends.

André Ouellet was a devoted citizen of his community and an active volunteer until his last breath. Involved for many years in the field of food aid, first with the parish, he founded the Dépannage Saint-Agapit organization (offering food assistance) in 1995 with his wife Cécile. He was still a director, after having left the chairmanship just a few years ago. He also worked for the Maison des Citoyens and the Agapé Deux-Montagnes organization, which meets the basic needs of citizens in precarious situations.

For more than three decades, Mr. Ouellet was the driving force behind the organization of Christmas baskets in Deux-Montagnes. Helping low-income families and individuals has been a full-time occupation for him since his retirement. More than second nature, caring and solidarity defined this exceptional man.

In 2014, André Ouellet was awarded the Prix Hommage bénévolat-Québec by l’Assemblée Nationale du Québec, in recognition of his extraordinary commitment and the richness of his actions. In 2016, the City of Deux-Montagnes also paid tribute to him by designating the community room at the Maison des Citoyens as the André and Cécile Ouellet Room.

The mayor of Deux-Montagnes, Denis Martin, saddened by the news of Mr. Ouellet’s death, was full of praise for this kindhearted citizen: “André Ouellet devoted a large part of his life to reaching out to the fellow citizens, a bit like a guardian angel for people in need. This is a huge loss for our city. The richness of his involvement will have left an indelible mark and his boundless commitment will live long in our memories. On behalf of myself and the members of the municipal council, I would like to offer my condolences to Mr. Ouellet’s family and friends.

 

 André Ouellet en 2014 lors de la remise du Prix Hommage bénévolat-Québec.

 

The family will receive condolences at:

 Les Salons Funéraires Guay in Saint-Eustache, Friday, May 5, 2023, between 6 and 9 p.m.

At Saint-Agapit Church in Deux-Montagnes, Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 11 a.m.