It is with broken hearts that we announce the death of Marc at age 68. Marc was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in 2021 and died peacefully with family by his side, at Ottawa General Hospital. Loving husband of Kathleen Faulkner, and devoted father of David and Mathieu.
He will be dearly missed by his siblings Jacques (Jocelyne), Diane (Sylvie), Line (Anne Marie) Luc (Debbie), and Tom (Donna); by his in-laws Jim (Carolyn), Mary Jane (Michael), Brian (Carmel), Michael (Sylvie), Maureen (Normand) and Patrick; by his many nieces and nephews, and Barbara Ramsay, the mother of his sons, David and Mathieu. Marc was predeceased by his parents, Madeleine Sabourin and Roger Jolicoeur.
Marc's professional accomplishments are well known and very public, and much of his success was based upon the kind of man he was. He was open, kind, generous, adventurous and unfailingly humble. Marc was born and raised in Vanier, and his roots in that community ran deep. Jolicoeur Hardware was a staple of the neighbourhood. If you were to ask Marc, he would say his greatest legacy was not his professional accomplishments, but rather his role as a father, husband, sibling and friend. This is where Marc found his greatest joy.
While disciplined and focused - in everything from his career to his skiing, golf and sailing - he married this with a compassion and thoughtfulness that is far too rare. Marc was a gentle man who was sensitive to the needs of others, which served him well professionally and personally. Marc was an excellent listener and a calming influence in situations where emotions and stakes ran high. He was always considered and wise in his counsel. Marc's relationships were deep, his commitment absolute. He was also a charming man who had a great joie de vivre. He was blessed with a wonderful sense of humour and a curious and adventurous spirit, which allowed him to make friends easily and keep them for life. Marc's generosity of spirit was reflected not only in his dealings with friends and family, but also in his contribution to the community.
Marc's greatest love was for his sons, David and Mathieu, and his wife of 26 years, Kathleen. As a devoted and loving father and husband, Marc cherished the time they spent together at Red Pine Camp when the boys were young, sailing in the Caribbean, boating on the St Lawrence, skiing and travelling. He was so proud of the men David and Mathieu have become. Together, he and Kathleen built a wonderful life based on a foundation of kindness, respect and a deep love. The grace and strength with which they and the boys faced his diagnosis and treatment this past year was inspirational.
Marc devoted his professional career to Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (formerly Scott and Aylen). He played a key role in the growth and success of BLG, and held many senior management positions, including National Group Head of Specialized Business Law Group, Managing Partner of the Ottawa Regional Office, and membership on the firm's National Management Committee and Partnership Board.
Marc also served as a volunteer for numerous charitable organizations as a specialist in corporate governance, and contributed directly to the success of several non-profit organizations including: the Ottawa Hospital (Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors); University of Ottawa (Board Chair); United Way Ottawa (Board and Campaign Chairs), United Way Canada (Board Chair); Youth Services Bureau Charitable Foundation (Board Chair), Ottawa Community Foundation (Honorary Counsel), the Ottawa Civic Hospital, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and La Cite Collegiale.
Marc was humbled by the numerous honours and awards he received (far too many to list), including the Queen's Jubilee Medal, the Order of Ottawa, the Gordon F. Henderson Award, and the Medaille d'Excellence from Le Regroupement des Gens d'Affaires d'Ottawa, Governor Emeritus by University Of Ottawa.
Marc will be missed, so very deeply missed, but we are blessed and thankful for his time with us and the immeasurable way in which he impacted our lives.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the countless nurses and doctors at The Ottawa Hospital and The Rehab Centre, as well as the Palliative Team, for their compassionate care of Marc. We are thankful to his sister Diane whose loving care and support for Marc this past year was a testament to the special bond they shared. We are grateful to Eirini and Nemy who cared for Marc as though he were family.
"Do not let it be forgot, that once there was a spot; for one brief shining moment that was Camelot." Godspeed Marc, "May you have fair winds and following seas."
Friends are invited to visit Beechwood Cemetery (280 Beechwood Avenue) on Thursday March 17 from 4-8 p.m. A memorial will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday March 18 at Beechwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Marc Jolicoeur and Kathleen Faulkner Legacy Fund at the Ottawa Hospital.Marc Jolicoeur & Kathleen Faulkner Legacy Endowment (https://tohf.crowdchange.co/24681)
Digital Guestbook
Pierre Sauvé et Suzanne Labelle
Dan Clement
On behalf of the staff and Board of United Way Centraide Canada, we wish to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Marc. Marc was a leader, champion and volunteer in the community and a friend to all of us at United Way Centraide. His calm and thoughtful guidance had a significant impact on our organization and our mission.
Peter Annis
Kathleen, I am so sorry to hear the sad news about Marc's completely unacceptable and unfair early passing, even if it did not come as a surprise. Marc was among my best friends at the law firm. He was responsible for my hiring at Scott & Aylen and a constant companion on many of the files involving Francophone clients that he directed to me. Even when he was after me for not attending appropriately to his clients, he always conducted himself in the most professional and indeed encouraging fashion. Never a discouraging word from Marc.
I think he missed his calling, however. He had all the attributes of a talented dreamy film star. Yet he never let any of his outstanding qualities or personal charisma go to his head; always treating everyone he met with respect, dignity, and a kind smile. He was the epitome of the humane, caring person, guided by all the right principles, about whom we will continue to think kindly of long after his passing. They say that so long as you are well remembered by others, you remain alive. This surely applies to Marc for all those who had the good fortune to know him.
My sincerest condolences to you and your family,
Peter Annis
Chad and Pam Gaffield
So many warm memories of knowing Marc! All our sympathies, Kathleen.
Richard Bertrand
I am not able to attend due to the fear of my spreading my lingering cold and cough. I so wanted to be there.
Marc was a very special person to so many and to me. We were especially close in the many years we served on the Board of the University of Ottawa. Marc succeeded me as Chair of the Board. He was such a wonderful Board member and provided excellent feedback, advice and support.
We of course shared other occasions to meet and have lunch together.
Ottawa will miss such a pillar in our community.
I am more than pleased to help support the Marc and Kathleen Foundation.
Richard Bertrand
Nos condoléances les plus sincères à Kathleen et à la famille de Marc. Nous avons eu le privilège de pouvoir apprécier Marc autant professionnellement que socialement. C’est une grande perte pour la communauté.