Relatives of Franco-Toronto resident Gérard Parent will pay tribute to him this Saturday, December 21 at the Sacré-Cœur Parish in Toronto, during a visitation and funeral service. Died on December 10, the former general director of the Heritage Welcome Centers (CAH) will have left his mark on the French-speaking world of the Queen City.
“He is someone who worked hard, before and after (his time as director general), to improve access to services in French in Ontario,” says ONFR the current general director of the CAH, Barbara Ceccarelli.
Gérard Parent held this position from 2003 to 2012, guiding the organization during a decade marked by several changes.
The one who considers him a mentor affirms that he had a “friendly” and “solar” energy. “When I think of him, the word that comes to me is that he is a radiant person, with great energy and incredible empathy” towards customers and staff.
For two years, he himself had lived at CAH, an organization that offers social and health services in French to seniors and vulnerable people. Despite a complex state of health, Gérard Parent continued to engage as best he could in community life within the structure.
“He left with his head held high”
— Peter Hominuk, AFO Executive Director
The Director General of the Assembly of the Francophonie of Ontario (AFO), Peter Hominuk worked alongside Gérard Parent when the latter was coordinator of French language services for the Ontario Ministry of Health. He confirms that the 71-year-old man “has always worked very actively and passionately to ensure that Francophones had access to services in French. »
Gérard Parent was also greatly involved with the Richelieu Club of Toronto as well as the Golden Age Club of Sacré-Cœur Parish.
“We can say that he left with his head held high. He didn’t stop working for his community until the end, adds Peter Hominuk. It is a loss for the French-speaking world. »
Gérard Parent will be buried in the spring in Iroquois Falls, in Northern Ontario.
