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Former Valley East mayor Jean-Yves Robert has passed away

Robert, 86, served as mayor from 1985 to 2000
040822_obit-Jean-Yves-Robert
Jean-Yves Robert was mayor of Valley East from 1985 to 2000. He passed away July 21, 2022, at the age of 86,

Jean-Yves Robert, who served as mayor of Valley East during a critical time in that community’s growth, passed away July 21. He was 86.

In this obituary, Robert’s many contributions to the growth and development of the Valley were noted.

“As Mayor of Valley East (circa 1985 to 2000), John’s diligence and drive in promoting his community led to Valley East earning the status of ‘city,’ as well as being recognized as the fastest growing municipality in the Region of Sudbury,” his obituary reads.

Elected in 1985, Robert is noted for having a vision of how the community should develop and he spearheaded many projects to bring that vision to life. He is credited with championing the several municipal initiatives, including the construction a new library, the partial expansion of the four-laning of Regional Road 80, the implementation of bus services for people with disabilities, and the the construction of a central fire hall.

Robert also worked on behalf of the welfare of Valley residents. He was involved in the creation of the Valley’s food bank, in physician recruitment efforts and, alongside local doctors, in the establishment of Valley East’s first after-hours walk-in medical clinic.

A real estate broker by trade, Robert was a director fo the Sudbury Real Estate Board and an instructor with the Ontario Real Estate Association. 

As a politician, Robert sat on and chaired numerous boards and committees. He served as past chair and member of the Sudbury Regional Planning Committee, the Regional Municipality of Sudbury Police Services Board and the Laurentian Hospital board of directors. He was also a member of the Sudbury Regional Development Corporation and the Nickel District Conservation Authority, as well as a past director of the Banque Alimentaire/Sudbury Food Bank.

His community work earned Robert several accolades, including the Federal Commemorative Medal in 1992 and the Sudbury District Medical Society Award in 1994 for his efforts to improve health care access in the Valley. Robert was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. 

Robert is survived by his wife, Anne; his children, Chantal Robert (Luc Dalcourt) of Hanmer, François Robert of Sudbury, Alain Robert of Montreal, and Eric Robert (Tara) of Kars; his brother, Rhéal, and; his grandchildren Alexie, Dominic, Kiirsten, Sara-Anne, Venessa, Tessa, Jenna. Robert is great-grandfather to five children. 

There will be no visitation, but a mass celebration will be held Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. at Ste-Marguerite-D’Youville church followed by a private burial.

Donations on Robert’s behalf can be made to Maison McCulloch Hospice.


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