Concordia mourns passing of John Lemieux

“This is a big loss for our community. John Lemieux had a remarkable ability to inspire others to join forces for a common good,” said Concordia President Alan Shepard. “He was committed to a better world and led by example, through tireless volunteer work and charitable giving.”

Lemieux lent his leadership — which he exercised professionally as a senior counsel at the law firm Dentons — to Concordia for several decades. He served on the university’s Board of Governors for three terms, beginning in 2006. He was a member and secretary of the Loyola Alumni Association, now part of the Concordia University Alumni Association (CUAA).   

For his dedication to his alma mater, Lemieux was recognized with the Humberto Santos Award of Merit — the highest honour awarded by the CUAA — in 2012.

Lemieux — along with fellow grads that included Ryan — led the Loyola Refectory Restoration Campaign. About 600 graduates contributed to the cause, which raised $4-million. That investment was used to transform the space in a modern area where students, faculty, staff and visitors come together. “It’s a building that’s almost 100 years old, and it’s satisfying to know that it will serve the university and the community for another 100 years,” said Lemieux when the renovated Loyola Jesuit Hall and Conference Centre opened in 2011.

A human rights advocate

Lemieux was also an ardent supporter of human rights. Following the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which saw 800,000 people killed, he was appointed by the Government of Rwanda to serve as an honorary consul for Quebec in 2012.

Lemieux also supported Concordia’s Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS). In 2015, he gave to Concordia to establish the John F. Lemieux Fellowship in Genocide Studies at MIGS. On his donation, Lemieux said he hoped his support would have a multiplier effect, attracting others to support an important cause.

Lemieux was part of the committee that recognized Lieutenant-General the Honourable and MIGS Distinguished Senior Fellow Roméo Dallaire, LLD 13, with a Loyola Medal — one of Concordia’s highest honours.

A local champion

Lemieux’s career as a corporate and commercial lawyer spanned more than 45 years, mostly at the Montreal office of Dentons Canada. Among Lemieux’s areas of expertise were Indigenous rights.

His community involvement included co-founding and being the first president of Myeloma Canada, which supports patients with blood cancer.

He is survived by his spouse Luce Gilbert, his first wife Heather Ayer, BA 72, and his four children, Jennifer (Clare), Kathryn (Navendu), Matthew and Alexandra along with three grandchildren, Jocelyn, Ashley and Madison. He was predeceased by his second wife, Kristen Van Ausdal.