Estrie has just lost one of its greatest ambassadors. Businessman André L’Espérance, behind numerous successful tourism projects, died on November 4, at the age of 79. He suffered from an illness similar to Parkinson’s disease.
The graduate of the University of Sherbrooke leaves an immense legacy to the tourism industry in the Estrie region.
The businessman was first involved in his entrepreneurial career in Mont Orford. He is also at the origin of several significant projects including the Orford Express train in the Magog region, the OMG Burger – this famous church which was transformed into a restaurant in Sherbrooke – and above all, one of his greatest achievements, the boat The Grand Cru on Lake Memphremagog.
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“I think each project had a special place in his heart. For him it was always a new adventure,” confides his daughter, Élyse L’Espérance, in an interview. “The Grand Cru is one of the projects he really loved.”
Moreover, Ms. L’Espérance said she celebrated the great moments of her life on this boat on Lake Memphremagog in the last days of her life.
“He was a very passionate person, who had a deep love for his region,” she added.
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André L’Espérance also rubbed shoulders with many well-known personalities in the region. The former mayor of Sherbrooke Jean Perreault, among others, was one of his acquaintances. Mr. L’Espérance was also hired in 2021 by the City to create the first budget after the municipal mergers.
“I will always remember his involvement, his dedication, his volunteerism in supporting this city that saw him grow,” said Mr. Perreault. “He was a hard-working, hard-working guy. He was a good negotiator, but also he was a generous guy.”
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The former mayor of Magog Vicky-May Hamm also maintains a positive image of the Estrie entrepreneur.
“The first conference as mayor, I did it right in front of the construction site of the Grand Cruon the theme of audacity because I found that André, with his projects, inspired audacity,” recalled the former mayor.
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A tribute to André L’Espérance will be organized by the family of the deceased. A climb of Mount Orford will be planned for November 16 for all the people who would like to pay a final bow.
– With information from Guillaume Cotnoir-Lacroix
