Obituary

John Cormier

June 19, 1936 – January 13, 2025

At the age of 88, John Gerald Cormier of Alexandia, Ontario, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2025. He was the son of the late Zoel and Marguerite (Gallant) Cormier.

John is survived by his three daughters: Janice Longchamps (late Andre), Iona Ouimet (Gabriel), and Adele, his two sons: Daniel (Rosalie) and Richard (Debbie), and Mona Norman with whom he shared his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. John also leaves behind his two sisters: Cecilia and Rose (Hélène). He was a beloved grandfather to Stephanie, Lisa, Trisha, Ross, William, Renee, Emily and Derick, and a beloved great-grandfather to Kathryn, Henry, Amelia, Anika, and five-day old Abigail.

Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his six sisters: Doris, Aline, Dorine, Rachelle, Catherine, and Paulette, his five brothers: Maurille, Alyre, Francis, Aimé and Robert, and good friend Annette Sauve.

He will be fondly remembered by Marc Chenier, whom he thought of as a son, and by his many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbours, and friends.

Born in Shediac, New Brunswick, John never forgot his Acadian roots. He loved the Maritimes and especially, spending time in Shediac, visiting family, being by the water, and indulging in fresh lobster.

As a young man, John joined the Royal Canadian Army Cadet and would often mention how he met the Queen. He came to Ontario in 1958 to take on the job as manager of Stedman in Cochrane, Ontario and then in Alexandria, Ontario. After leaving that job, John took on various jobs working as a bus driver for Community Living and then Roxborough Bus Lines. He was very involved in his community, not only as a lifetime member of the Alexandria Lions Club but also serving on the town council in various capacities and as Reeve of Alexandria between 1983 and 1985.  

One of his favourite passions was to travel and he loved the outdoors. If John wasn’t sitting at the campsite, he was probably out in the boat fishing. Rarely would ‘Big John’ miss an opportunity to go play cards with his buddies over a few beers too. He also loved his sports, especially the Toronto Blue Jays, Ottawa Senators, and the Ottawa Redblacks. But most of all, he loved sharing these passions with his family and passing on his years of wisdom.

The family would like to send a special thank you to the staff of the Glengarry Memorial Hospital for their excellent care during these difficult times.

A service will be arranged at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends are invited to consider a donation to the Canadian Lung Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.