Mr. Pierre Francis Camu passed away on September 5, 2023, at Montfort Hospital in Ottawa. He was 100. Mr. Camu was born in Montreal on March 19, 1923.
After earning a PhD in geography at the University of Montreal in 1947, Mr. Camu embarked on a long career that saw him, among other positions, teach at University Laval in Quebec City (1956-1960) and serve as vice-president and then president of the St. Lawrence Seaway (1960-1973), president of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (1977-1979), and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the University of Ottawa (1973-1979). Additionally, Mr. Camu served in a leadership position at a number of private sector entities, including Lavalin (now SNC-Lavalin). He authored a number of books on the economic geography of Canada and transport on the St. Lawrence. He received a number of accolades, including Officer of the Order of Canada, Knight of the Order of Quebec, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
Mr. Camu was one of the two founders of the Trans Canada Trail, which has connected Canada from one ocean to the other two.
He is survived by his wife Marie Marthe (born Trudeau), also a centenarian, whom he married on November 4, 1950, their children Suzanne (Marc Quinet), Mylène (Don Saxton) and Pierre (Tina Kader) (Sylvie Barry (1960-2005)), their grandchildren Milou (Tom Richards), Paule (Gerardo Barahona), Arnaud (Sahar Zaboli), Benjamin (Emily Raymond), Camille, Gaultier (Nathalie Ouellet), Dustin (Nadyne Brost), Marilou (Lincoln Brown), Zoe, and Thomas (1996-2011), their great-grandchildren Flavie, Marielle, Lily, Ozgood, Felix, Violet, Franco, and Oliver, as well as his brother Marcel. He is predeceased by his sister, Lise. He leaves behind nieces and nephews from Quebec and New Brunswick.
The family will receive condolences on October 14, 2023 at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa, after 12 noon. Service will follow in the Sacred Space at 1 pm. Those wishing to attend virtually may register for the livestream here.
The family wishes to thank Dr. André Gauthier and his wife and nurse-practitioner, Lorraine, for their exceptional care to Mr. Camu and recognizes the devotion of the Riverpath Residence staff as well as our private caregivers.
The family encourages donations to Trans Canada Trail, The Ottawa Mission, or Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
Digital Guestbook
Jean-Claude CAMU
Pierre Vary
Nos plus sincères condoléannces à toi Suzanne, Marc et votre famille. Nos penses et prières sont avec vous. Francine et Pierre
Marie Pratte
J'apprends, avec beaucoup de retard, le décès de monsieur Camu, autrefois ami de mon père.
Toutes mes condoléances à son épouse Marié, à Suzanne, que j'aimerais bien revoir, ainsi qu'à toute la famille.
Pierre Leblanc
C'est avec regrets que je viens d'apprendre le décès de Monsieur Camu. J'ai eu le plaisir de l'avoir eu comme professeur à l'université d'Ottawa dans un cours de géographie. Il m'a fait redécouvrir et comprendre le Canada autrement par l'histoire de l'économie et du développement du transport. Il a certainement contribué à ma vision de la géographie. C'était toujours un plaisir de le rencontrer à la cartothèque où il venait régulièrement pour documenter ses ouvrages sur la voie maritime du St-Laurent. Pendant presque 30 ans Il a agrémenté ma carrière de cartographe à l'université d'Ottawa. Je garde un souvenir impérissable de nos discussions et le remercie encore pour ses enseignements. Merci Mr Camu.
Toutes mes sympathies à son épouse et à sa famille.
Par la pensée, nous serons présents avec vous depuis la France. Nous vous embrassons avec affection Jean-Claude et Jean-Noel