François Trépanier, former parliamentary correspondent for The Presspassed away on January 8, in Montreal. If the journalist had the reputation of being the greatest trick player in the Quebec parliament, his career was marked by the professionalism and leadership he demonstrated in numerous management positions.
Published at 6:00 a.m.
It was in 1963 that the journalist’s career took the path of The Press. For 10 years, he held the position of parliamentary correspondent in Quebec with great rigor, his former colleagues emphasized… while entertaining them.
“He was a bon vivant, my father,” confided his son, Nicolas Trépanier. “He was a person who was appreciated by his colleagues and who liked to make jokes when work was finished. »
Retired journalist Gisèle Gallichan, who worked with him at the National Assembly, always remembered the day when Mr. Trépanier managed to unbolt the plaque on the office door of one of the Liberal deputies, which indicated his title. . He replaced it with a plaque which instead indicated… the way to the toilets.
“We, the journalists, knew it was François,” recalled M with a laugh.me Gallichan. “He did it while carrying out his work very seriously,” she observed.
“One of the best”
Responsible for general information, Sports, Arts and Letters, desk chief: back in Montreal, Mr. Trépanier held various positions in the daily news department. For the former journalist The Press Guy Pinard, who was also his great friend, Mr. Trépanier stood out for his great leadership, regardless of the role he played in the company.
He was easy to approach. If I thought I had good news, I knew I could tell him about it without any problem, he trusted me, a lot. And in terms of journalism, I think it was one of the best.
Guy Pinard, former journalist of The Press
For around fifteen years, François Trépanier was also a travel columnist. He is the author of the guide Quebec country inns and innswhich made him very proud, confided his son. He also wrote the work while traveling alongside his wife, Yolande Tremblay, to whom he was married for 55 years.
Before evolving to The PressFrançois Trépanier made his debut in the media at the daily newspaper of Quebec Catholic Action in 1959, before a stint at the Broadcast News agency (The Canadian Press). His father, Jacques Trépanier, was a war correspondent and parliamentary columnist for the defunct newspaper The Homeland ; his grandfather was the historian and journalist Léon Trépanier.
Nicolas Trépanier considers himself lucky to have been able to work for a few summers with his father, during his years of study. “He was a hard-working man who took his work to heart,” he said.
