“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
Julie Dunbar
Jacques Legaré
Mon cousin Jean- le super héros de mon enfance.
Jean, toi et ta famille avez profondément changé le parcours de ma vie. Jean, c’était le dynamisme en personne ou rien n’était impossible. Très jeune, tu avais bâti ce monde de possibilités ou on passait de la BaT- cave a une séance de skis nautiques tandis que l’hiver on se faisait tirer par le Ski-doo dans une traine sauvage après une journée sur les pentes en skis. Notre premier voyage en Europe à La Plagne ou nous avons décidé d’écourter la semaine de ski pour aller rendre une visite non annoncée à nos cousines de Montpelier. Mémorable !
La vie, nos obligations familiales on fait en sorte que nos rencontres à l’âge adulte se sont raréfiée. Cependant, Jean tu demeuras toujours dans mon cœur la personne qui a m’a fait découvrir un monde de possibilité. Tu auras toujours une place spéciale dans mes pensées.
Mes sincères condoléances Laura à toi et à ta famille.
Jacques Legaré
Isabelle Hodgson
Ma chère Laura, je veux vous offrir, à toi et à ta famille, mes plus sincères condoléances.
J'ai beaucoup pensé à vous, et je continue de vous envoyer mes pensées les meilleures en cette grande épreuve.
Louise Barbeau
Mes sincères condoléances à toute la famille. Je garde un très beau souvenir de Jean comme info-ski, il s’était présenté en disant qu’il voulait se faire des amis en blaguant, il a réussi, toujours de bonne humeur et avec un sourire contagieux. J’ai adoré le côtoyer à Tremblant
Louise (chef d’équipe jusqu’en 2021)
Emilie Beauchamp
My deepest of sympathies to you Emi and the rest of the family.
I always think of him taking us girls skiing when we were younger and trying to teach me ski or when he created our little club de lecture and tried to get us to read books every month :)
He was an amazing person and will be missed.
Line Pivin
Caroline, Jonathan, Émilie et Olivier,
Mes plus sincères condoléances à vous et à votre maman, Laura. J'ai eu le privilège de rencontrer votre papa à quelques reprises et j'ai vite compris pourquoi le clan "des 4 Boutin" était si exceptionnel.
Les prochains mois seront certainement difficiles, le vide laissé par son départ vous semblera immense, mais tranquillement, tout doucement, les milliers de souvenirs heureux, les fous-rires et les moments tendres rempliront vos cœurs.
Toutes mes pensées vous accompagnent,
Line
Larry OBrien
Jean knew how to make any day fun, interesting, and an accomplishment. Anyone his life touched was better for it. My condolences to Jean's family.
Tom & Nancy O'Brien
We are deeply sorry for your loss. Not only was Jean the last to leave the party, he often was the party. It's incredible that Jean was still organizing pizza gatherings at his house up until his final weeks. He was a devoted husband, incredible father, unbelievable organizer of fun events, and a dear friend. Words can't describe how much he will be missed. Jean was a one of a kind human being and we are grateful to have known him and enjoyed his company.
Patrick Lepage
Jean was a truly empathetic, funny and charismatic person. He helped build the foundations of my character and confidence. For that I am eternally grateful. My deepest condolences to the whole Boutin family for this tragic loss.
Lynn Mathe
Sincere sympathies to Jean's family. Working with Jean in the Federal Goverment was a delight. May you now rest in peace.
Jean was a great guy--compassionate and caring, with a great sense of humour. My sincere condolences, Laura, to you and your family.