“Always wanted to be the last one to leave the party…”
On Tuesday, December 6, surrounded by his loving family, Jean passed away at his home in Ottawa, on his own terms, at the age of 63. He put up a good fight against cancer since his initial diagnosis 12 months ago. He was glad to see his first grandchild through his first year, to attend his daughter Caroline’s wedding, to have trips with his family, and to spend time with his friends and his extended family.
The second of four children of Céline and Lucien Boutin, Jean had a charmed childhood. He spent his summers and weekends at the family cottage in St. Donat, where his father taught him to downhill ski and water ski.
He met his soulmate Laura at Concordia University in 1981. They married in 1986 and moved to Ottawa, where he raised his family and worked for the federal government for 30 years.
Jean was not defined by his work. He loved being with his family, and spent his free time taking his family camping, hiking, skiing, biking and cottaging. He was overjoyed when he had the chance to bring his family to Paris for a three-year posting, and made sure that they lived the experience to the fullest.
Jean always said that his greatest accomplishment was his children. When his children were grown up, and the “teachable moments” were fewer and farther between, he organized trips with his friends. After his retirement in 2018, he filled his days with volunteering (Canadian Red Cross and the Children’s Aid Society) and great gigs like Mont Tremblant’s Info-Ski and driving RVs down south.
Jean leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Laura; his children Jonathan (Ali Campbell), Caroline (Christophe Ledent), Émilie, and Olivier (Hope Gaze), as well as his grandson Leo. He also leaves behind his mother Céline, and his siblings Hélène, André and Philippe and their families, and his brother-in-law David Harries and his family. There are extended family members and many friends who will miss him terribly. He was often the first guy up the mountain, the last guy to go to bed, and the loudest person in the room.
Many thanks to Dr. Canil, Dr. Fitzgibbon, Dr. Gupta and all of their colleagues for the excellent care provided. They left no stone unturned and we are truly grateful.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life at Beechwood Cemetery (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa) at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 16.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Le fonds Jean Boutin Fund (https://www.ocf-fco.ca/fonds-jean-boutin-fund/). Tax receipts will be provided. Jean’s buddies set up this fund to honour his memory and the many sporting activities they did together over the decades. Through the Ottawa Community Foundation, funds collected will enable less fortunate families and children to participate in sporting activities, something that was very close to Jean’s heart.
Digital Guestbook
Jeanette & Bill Filleter
Dirk de Vos
Laura, I'm so sorry to hear about this. I did get hints at work about the kind of life you must have lived with Jean when you often mentioned going to the cottage. The profile here of him certainly confirms that abundantly. My best wishes to you and your family. Dirk
Claude Boileau
Je suis désolé d'apprendre le départ de Jean. Laura, je t'offre mes condoléances
a toi et toute la famille...
Lise Le Blanc
Recevez mes plus sincères condoléances. Je suis de tout cœur avec vous.
Lise, infoski
Pierre Marcel Cote
Chère Laura et à toute la famille Boutin,
Cette nouvelle me renverse et m'attriste tellement! Je n'ai que de merveilleux souvenirs de Jean, des sorties, voyages et aventures de toutes sortes. Il était tellement motivé et toujours "game" d'essayer quelque chose de nouveau (tellement d'exemples me viennent en tête).
Quelle belle personne; il mettait de la vie et de la joie partout où il passait, vraiment! Il adorait sa famille par dessus tout.
Toutes mes sympathies pour le départ de cet personne exceptionnelle.
Jacynthe Beauregard
C’est avec une grande consternation que j’apprends ce matin le décès de Jean. Bien que je n’ai de contacts avec lui et Laura depuis de nombreuses années, je garde de beaux souvenirs. Je me rappelle son rire communicatif et de nos rencontres lorsque nous travaillions à l’école d’été á l’Université Concordia. Mes plus sincères condoléances à Laura et à la famille!
Jacynthe
Hélène Bourdeau
Mes sympathies à ses enfants, sa conjointe ainsi qu'à sa mère, sa soeur et et ses frères que nous avons connu durant notre jeunesse grâce au lien qui nous unissait à notre tante et notre oncle Françoise et Jacques Deguire. Le départ de Jean nous rappelle avec tristesse le décès de notre frère François, lui aussi décédé d'un cancer il y a 18 mois et qui l'a emporté en moins d'un an. Il avait l'âge de Jean.
Bon courage à tous.
Francine & Sophie Y. Cardinal
Mom et moi venons d’apprendre le départ de Jean… nous vous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à toute votre famille. Affectueusement , Francine et Sophie Y. xx
Dominique Bourdeau
J’ai connu la famille Boutin par le lien que nous avions avec les Deguire ( mon oncle, Jacques Deguire). Nous avions aussi un chalet à St-Donat comme Jean et sa famille. Je suis attristée de savoir que Jean est parti si vite. J’offre à Laura et les enfants de même qu’à Céline, Hélène, André et Philippe, mes plus sincères condoléances.
JB Ski Club Friends
Dear Laura and Family, Your JB friends extend their sincere condolences for the loss of a very special man. Jean was a vibrant part of our community, and we will miss him
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband, father, father-in- law, grandfather and sounds like an amazing friend.
It sounds like he lived his life to the fullest and especially this last year, with all the activities in the family.
I’m so happy he was able to see Caroline and Christof married and the welcoming of a new baby.
Wishing you all peace and love as you go through this difficult time.
May he RIP until you meet again - and just talk to him, he will hear you.