Lou Contant
The College was very sad to announce the death of retired Vanier employee, Louis (Lou) Contant, who passed away on October 4, 2013, at the age of 83.
Lou was a longtime employee in the Vanier Bookstore from the very earliest days of Vanier’s existance. He worked there from 1970-1993.
Our sympathies go out to his family and friends and especially to his beloved wife and current Vanier employee, Wilma Brown. Wilma kindly provided us with a series of photos and an update 10 months after Lou’s passing. You can see them below.
Dear Family and Friends,
As I, and we, continue to remember Lou in the over 10 months since his death . . . I thought I’d share a few photos. One day in August 2013, Lou and I visited friends Rosanne and Carolyn at their cottage on Lake Memphremagog.
You can three photos from that day below – all of them showing a relaxed Lou enjoying himself. The first photo is the one that was used on the memorial bookmark. The second photo, shows Lou with his semi-surprised, mischievous, pixie look! The third photo captured him describing something to Carolyn, with a hand gesture that many of you will recognize. I hope you enjoy seeing these photos of that wonderful man, Lou – whom we all miss and remember dearly!
Love, Willie
Lou was also very helpful to us just a couple of years ago in his submission to our History of Vanier College section, where he gave us several excellent photos to scan as well as a lovely descriptive text about the Bookstore in those early times. You can view his contribution by clicking here.
Other pertinent links:
His obituary page from the Montreal Gazette and an online photo book from the funeral home website.
Here is his full obituary notice:
CONTANT, Louis Robert Joseph, December 31, 1929 – October 4, 2013.
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Louis Contant at the age of 83. He leaves behind his beloved wife and partner of nearly 30 years, Wilma Brown. He will be greatly missed by his nieces Arlene and Suzanne, and nephews Chris, Mark and Brian; Wilma’s siblings Judy (René), Jerry (Jean), Verni, and Wally (Jazz); and countless acquaintances and friends, including Jerry B., Rod M., John P., Mike B., Mike C., Steve T. and Susie S., Steve R., Dirk K., Bill E., Liliane B., Chris W., Alanna H., Audrey S., Kathie R., Silvia and Matti T. He was predeceased by his brother John. Louis was born in Winnipeg to Anne Marie (Côté) and Alfred Contant. He also lived a number of years in Vancouver and England before settling in Montreal in 1963. He worked at the Vanier College Bookstore from 1970 until his retirement in 1993. Louis was a reader, a writer, a poet, a musician, and a philosopher who truly loved people and nature. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 9 from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Collins Clarke MacGillivray White Funeral Home, 5610 Sherbrooke West, Montreal (H4A 1W5). A Service to celebrate Louis’ life will take place Thursday, October 10 at 2 p.m. at Montreal West United Church, 88 Ballantyne North, Montreal West (H4X 2B8). On Friday, October 11 at 11 a.m., some of Louis’ ashes will be placed in a niche at the Montreal Memorial Gardens/Les Jardins Urgel Bourgie, 3955 Côte de Liesse, Ville St-Laurent (H4N 2N6). People are invited for any or all of the above. Sincere thanks to Dr. Shireen Sirhan and all the caring staff of the Oncology Treatment Centre at St. Mary’s Hospital and the homecare professionals provided by CLSC, Mount Sinai Hospital, and NOVA. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Vanier College Foundation or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
In the event that a member of the Vanier community learns about the passing of either a current or a former employee, please contact Isabelle Moncion, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs, directly at extension 7543 or via email so that we can communicate the information/funeral details to you as quickly as possible.Thank you for your collaboration.
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