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
I was saddened to learn that de Montigny had passed. I first met him at while seconded to CIDA, and often traveled with him. He was a most engaging companion. Our paths crossed again when he came to External Affairs, and yet again when he gave up Italy for Victoria. He had the ability to brighten rooms, and he will be missed. Helen and I send our condolences to Marie-Andre and family.
Very saddened to hear of the passing of De Montigny. After some years during which we had been out of touch, we warmly remember a hilarious dinner with old ExtAff colleagues at a West Vancouver restaurant barely two years ago, when everyone was in fine fettle. Our deepest condolences to Marie-Andrée and family.
Gordon and Kazuko Longmuir
Dear Marie-Andrée,
Please accept my most sincere sympathies and deepest condolences on the passing of de Montigny.
He was “my” ambassador in Rome. He was distinguished, most professional and a great representative of Canada. I was very proud to be a member of his team. It was enlightening to see the reference to the Boston Red Sox in his obituary, for one of the few private moments I had with him was over drinks one evening, while on a business trip outside of Rome, during which almost the entire conversation was about baseball! It was delightful!
May your fond memories of him give you solace and courage in the time ahead.
Gaston Barban
Chère Marie-André,
C’est avec une grande tristesse que nous avons appris le décès de De Montigny. Au nom des miens et des Marchand de Saint-Jérôme, nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances
Léonard Marchand.
Dear Marie-André,
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of De Montigny. On behalf of my people and the Marchand of Saint-Jérôme, we offer our most sincere condolences
Leonard Marchand.
Dear Marie-Andre and Family,
My most sincere condolences on the death of your beloved husband, father and grandfather, De Montigny. I first met him when he was at the OECD. As Sherpa at the G-7 Summit in Williamsburg in 1983, he provided me with the unforgettable lines of an exchange between PMs Trudeau and Thatcher: PET: “We should be busting our asses for peace”. Thatcher: “Pierre you are such a comfort to the Kremlin”, which I used in briefing the Canadian press. We travelled together with Foreign Minister Allan MacEachen to the Middle East, including walking around the pyramids. When he was Ambassador in Geneva, I spent a week in your lovely Residence there attending some UN event. But we had time to play a round of golf! I will never forget the honour DeMontigny bestowed on me as Under Secretary when he asked me to go to Paris as Number 2 (the token Anglophone!) in 1990. It didn’t happen then, but four years later. De Montigny had a great sense of humour, served Canada with great distinction in a variety of roles, and I will miss him greatly.
My most heartfelt sympathies.
Marie-Andree – desole avec la nouvelle. De Montigny est un vrai example du gentil-homme. Nos condoleances. David and Jacquie Collins, Victoria
We should take this time to celebrate De Montigny Marchand’s most distinguished public service on behalf of all Canadians. His commitment to excellence and duty are an example for all of us to follow.
Hello Marie Andre,
Alice and I were saddened to hear of your loss. It has been a long time since Crichton Street. We hope you are doing well. We are back in Canada now and living in Mahone Bay NS.
Marie-Jeanne and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of de Montigny. It was an honour and pleasure to have come to know him for so many years in the Foreign Service. Our sincere condolences to Marie-Andree and other members of his family.
Jim Bartleman
My sincere condolences to the family of De Montigny Marchand.