De Montigny Marchand, distinguished senior Canadian public servant and Ambassador died in Victoria on June 24, 2019.
He leaves in mourning his loving companion and wife of forty years, Marie-Andrée Beauchemin. He is sorely missed by his devoted and much-loved children from his first marriage to the late Nathalie Clift, Julie, Emmanuelle, Charles and his wife Noom, and his adored grandchildren Anne-Sophie, Marie-Claude, Jean-Christophe (Goulet), Adèle, Laurent, Renaud (Chiricota), Sémira, Emilie-Sasi, Prom (Marchand). He will also be much missed by his sisters Marie (Marc Filion) and Francine (Robert Clarenc), his sister-in-law Francine Beauchemin and his nephews, nieces, cousins and many other members of his extended family.
De Montigny was born on March 19, 1936 in St-Jérome, Quebec, the son of Jean-Charles Marchand and Françoise Magnan. A graduate of the University of Montreal where he obtained his law degree, he also attended Boston University where he pursued postgraduate studies in communications.
Having served as Secretary General of the University of Montreal (1967-1969), de Montigny joined the federal public service where he rose rapidly to the highest ranks, serving as the Privy Council’s Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet during the government of Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Senior appointments followed as Deputy Minister of Political Affairs at External Affairs, as Deputy Minister of Communications, of Energy, Mines and Resources and as Under Secretary of State for External Affairs. During these years, he served also as the Prime Minister’s Personal Representative for several G7 Summits, including Versailles (1982), Williamsburg (1983) and London (1984). De Montigny also served as Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva (1987-89) and as Ambassador of Canada to Italy (1991-96).
Throughout his career, de Montigny played a key role at the nerve centre of government as both a proud Quebecker and as a defender and promoter of federalism and bilingualism during challenging years for the country.
After living the first phase of their retirement in Tuscany for 12 years, de Montigny and Marie-Andrée moved to Victoria in 2014 where he maintained his life-long interest in international affairs and greatly appreciated the closer vicinity to his family and year-round golfing at the Victoria Golf Club.
De Montigny was an exceptional gentleman, a charming lover of family, music, wine, golf and baseball (especially the Boston Red Sox) and a great raconteur. He will be greatly missed but fondly remembered by his family and many friends in Canada and abroad.
Friends and acquaintances are invited to join our family to remember and celebrate De Montigny’s life. The Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00pm on Friday, September 6, 2019 at The Victoria Golf Club.
Those wishing to further honour his memory can make a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation – Agency of Vancouver Island or to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
20 Responses
Dear Marie-Andree,
Thirty years ago, during my first years in DFAIT, USSEA deMontigny was an exemplary leader and a very generous mentor to me, for whom his confidence and encouragement meant the world. I’ll never forget either his professional excellence or the great pleasure of his company.
As you mourn, I offer you heartfelt sympathy and condolence. Would that I could do more to ease your grief.
Truly,
Chris Westdal
Chère Marie-Anddré,Thérèse et moi aurions aimé être avec vous.Nos difficultés de mobilité nous en empêchent. Garderons tojuous le souvenir d’un premier voisin à MTL, d’un formidable collègue universitaire. Merci aussi pour son r d’ambassadeur du canada et enfin pour son amitié.
Your Name
Robert Sévigny
A toute la famille de De Montigny nos pensées les plus chaleureuses et amicales en ces moments douloureux. Nous conservons de notre ami le souvenir d’un être loyal, cultivé, accueillant, aux propos intarissables et toujours captivants. A tous et à toutes nos condoléances les plus senties et les plus sincères.
Chère Marie-Andrée,
Jean-Yves se joint à moi pour t’exprimer ainsi qu’à toute la famille, notre profonde tristesse suite à la nouvelle du départ de De Montigny.
Nous avons des souvenirs inoubliables de notre séjour avec vous en San Giminiano. Nous t’offrons nos sincères condoléances.
Amitiés,
Louise et Jean-Yves Fortin
Je suis très touché par ce départ de mon ami d’enfance. On a grandi ensemble, lui sur la Rue du Palais, moi sur la rue Parent, à St-Jérôme. Puis on a fait les huit ans du cours classique ensemble, à Ste Thérèse. J’ai toujours admiré DeMontigny, je l’ai toujours aimé. Dernièrement je pensais à lui, et voilà que j’apprends son décès. Alors je pense beaucoup à lui. Je dis mon amitié à chacun et chacune de sa famille. Si vous passez par Québec, je serai heureux de causer avec vous, j’ai toutes ces photos du temps du collège…
Marie-Andrée
I have only just become aware of the passing of de Montigny. My sincerest condolences to you and other family members. During your and my time together in Pakistan, you spoke of him fondly, with pride and affection. No doubt he will be missed. It is my sincere hope that the sorrow of his passing quickly becomes fond memories of your time together.
Brian MacKay
Hello Marie-Andree,
I was saddened to hear of your loss! I remember the days when these dozens of roses would be delivered anonymously to the office and, although you knew they were from de Montigny, you asked that I try to find out who had sent them….but to no avail….do you remember those days in Personnel Operations Division? I do!
I am thinking of you and send my condolences to you and the family.
Barbara Burns
Chère Marie-Andrée,
Heather et moi étions attristés d’apprendre le decès de votre mari. Nos sympathies et condoléances sont avec vous.
JULIE:I am sorry to read of the death of your father De Montigny. I have fond memories of my visit to Paris when you and your family were there…a summer in the late 70’s as I recall. Also of your high school years when I was a teacher and your swim coach.
Dear Marie-Andre,
Just a quick word from Switzerland to offer you our deepest
sympathies in this sad time.
I knew De Montigny only slightly but I do recall his very kind
words to me when I departed External Affairs for retirement in
1990.
This goes to you and the extended family with our sincerest
condolences.
Ian and Barbara Wood