Following a very brief and virulent battle with cancer, Louis Michael Tenace passed away in Ottawa on November 12, 2023. Beloved husband of 62 years to Michèle (Gaudreau), loving father to Lisa and Michael (Lynne), and dear Nonno to granddaughter Arianne.
Louis’ career was closely tied to the field of negotiation, and he did so from all sides, first as president of the Cornwall branch of the Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation, then as Superintendent of Personnel for the Ottawa Board of Education. He moved to Treasury Board as its Deputy Secretary of Collective Bargaining and went on to accept an appointment as Vice-Chair of the former federal Public Service Staff Relations Board. Once retired, he continued to work as an arbitrator for the province of Ontario until the age of 78.
Louis took his family on frequent ski, camping and fishing trips, and skied mountains around the world with a trio of good friends; but his greatest travel partner was Michèle, with whom he visited almost 90 countries. They also wintered down south for greater than twenty years.
An accomplished pianist, handyman and amateur chef, Louis also maintained an avid interest in current affairs and politics. In retirement, he devoured books on history, political science and geography, with biographies and WW2 among his favourites.
Louis had a strong and fearless personality; his love of family was fierce, and he valued loyalty, honour, and being a man of his word. His presence will be greatly missed by all those close to him.
Family and friends are invited to Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa) for a Visitation on Monday, December 18, 2023, from 9 a.m. until the time of service in Beechwood’s Sacred Space at 10 a.m. Please make a donation in Louis’ memory to the charity of your choice. To register for the livestream, please click the tab above.
Digital Guestbook
Simone Anne-Marie Angrignon
Simone Anne-Marie Angrignon
Nos plus sincères condoléances chère Michèle et à toute la famille. Au nom des Enseignantes et Enseignants RTOERO du district 27 Ottawa
Raymond Caloz
From his Plantzette residence in Sierre, Switzerland, Raymond expressed great sadness when he learned about the passing of his lifelong friend and ski buddy.
Laurent Godbout
Vraiment, Lisa, mes très sincères sympathies à toi et bon courage et résilience à vous quatre.
John and Kathy Nolan
Dear Michele, We feel very privileged to have shared so many enjoyable times with Louis and you - from cruising the Mediterranean and touring South America to the countless fine dinners and casual get-togethers that we enjoyed over many years. We'll definitely miss them, as we will Louis, a giant of a man by all measures and a kind and thoughtful friend with a big hug, a big heart, and a great sense of humour. Our thoughts and sympathy are very much with you, Lisa, and Michael as you deal with the loss of such a big part of your lives. John and Kathy
Mike Salfi
It is with great sorrow hearing of Louis’ passing. Sue, Jen, Joe, Melissa and I pass along our deepest condolences. I have fond memories of Louis from a very young age when Louis helped my dad put cement around our just built home, through Sue and my time living in Ottawa and skiing with Louis and through the years, just recently attending a Stratford Theatre presentation of ‘Chicago’ just last year. We have only good memories of Louis throughout the years. Mike, Sue, Jen, Joe, Melissa and our grandchildren.
Dominique Boivin
Toutes mes sympathies pour vous tous et toutes! Quelle joie et privilège d'avoir fait reconnaissance après si longtemps avec vous les parents. Prières et pensées
Ross McMahon
Louis and I first met in 1971. He, from DND, and I from Transport were on the General Labour and Trades negotiating team at TB. It was an extended period with complex issues, so the team bonded. Lou's sense of humour, optimism and contribution are what I remember. For the rest of our careers our jobs would intersect. This summer we ran into each other for the first time in a while and he was his usual irrepressible self. Good memories.
My sympathy.
Mes sincères condoléances à toute la famille