“This morning, I didn’t believe it… Despite your unfailing will, your anger, your rage to win, your smile, your strong character, the crab got you.” Jean-Noël Guesnier, former mayor of Choisy-au-Bacof which he was still a municipal councilor, is mort at 73 years old following a cancer. A death occurred on the night of Saturday October 5 to Sunday October 6.
He had been battling illness for several years. “Jean-Noël Guesnier left us this morning at 9 a.m., in his sleep, following a terrible illness,” says his successor Jean-Luc Mignard, who beat him in the 2020 municipal elections. He was an exemplary and combative mayor who, for more than 30 years, he fought for his commune. Beyond the last elections, in the best interests of the municipality, he provided me with unfailing support, knowing how to put his skills and experience at the service of the common good and the most deprived to whom he always remained close. »
“A friend,” says Philippe Marini
“Jean-Noël was a friend,” confides Philippe Marini, president of the Agglomeration of the Compiègne Region, where the mayor of Choisy-au-Bac was vice-president. He is a courageous elected official, who has done a lot for his town.”
The mayor of Compiègne remembers that Jean-Noël Guesnier had experienced a period of long remission, during which he had “resurrected”. So much so that he “perhaps” thought he would play a role in 2026, continues Philippe Marini. Unfortunately, the illness took over.
Philippe Marini notes that Jean-Luc Mignard acted with great sensitivity towards Jean-Noël Guesnier, who became an opposition official. “He continued to entrust him with actions for the municipality, while knowing that there would perhaps be competition between them,” continues Philippe Marini. He had a lot of respect for him, despite the different opinions.”
Jean-Noël Guesnier kept an eye on the work on the Seine-Nord canal. The elected official spoke at a council meeting in September, concerning the route of the future Seine Nord Europe canal. He considered the option chosen around the railway crossing between Choisy-au-Bac and Clairoix to be an “aberration”. The elected official demanded that the bridge planned over the Seine Nord canal also cross the railway line.
Robert Pierret had chosen him as his successor
At the beginning of August, Jean-Noël Guesnier had read theeulogy of his predecessor Robert Pierret, mayor of Choisy-au-Bac. In 2001, Robert Pierret, mayor since 1989, handed over to Jean-Noël Guesnier. “I’m going to be 69 years old, I only see you,” he told me, when I was fourth deputy for works. He had already, at the start of his mandate, taken this position, after resigning. I was the 23rd and last on the list.”
Jean-Noël Guesnier received an Honorary Picantin at the start of the year from the Urban Sports Office. A way to reward his investment in the Choisy-au-Bac football club that he managed. And also in favor of the Cosacienne, a “run and bike” race which had to stop, a victim of its success.