A funeral for longtime Greater Sudbury city council member Gerry Montpellier will be held Saturday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church (3594 Errington Ave. N) in Chelmsford.
Visitation will be held at the Co-operative Funeral Home (691 RR 15, Chelmsford) today, Friday, Feb. 23, from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
The funeral arrangements were made public in Montpellier’s obituary, in which thanks went out to the nursing staff at Health Sciences North for the care they provided.
“Also, thank you to Dr. Knight for her constant attention to Germain’s health.”
In the obituary, Montpellier is described as an “entrepreneur, automotive enthusiast, proud councillor of Ward 3, loving husband and father.”
His interest in motorsports began at a young age when he watched his uncles race their snowmobiles, according to the obituary, which credits Montpellier as being heavily involved in car shows and numerous motorsports in the years that followed.
“Gerry led a fulfilling career as a classic car and motorcycle appraiser, marine surveyor and custom painter,” the obituary said.
He used his loud, baritone voice to volunteer his time as auctioneer to many community groups and charities, and his obituary notes that he “will always be remembered for his exuberant voice, larger-than-life personality, kindness and selflessness towards others. Words alone cannot express the full extent of Germain’s character.”
Tributes have been pouring in for Montpellier, who died at Health Sciences North on Feb. 21.
That evening, Mayor Paul Lefebvre announced Montpellier’s death at the start of a regularly scheduled meeting of a city council committee. After some brief remarks and a moment of silence, the meeting adjourned out of respect.
“Gerry was a devoted champion for his community and a loyal proponent of his constituents,” Lefebvre said. “He was a supportive presence at many events across the city, particularly those with his beloved classic cars. Gerry touched the lives of so many of us in Greater Sudbury, and we will miss him.”
Sudbury Liberal MP Viviane Lapointe issued a statement, crediting Montpellier as “a fierce advocate for our community, and loved by so many for his commitment to ensuring people were heard.”
Others took to social media to send condolences and praise Montpellier for both his character and work on city council.
Montpellier had been contending with health issues in recent months, and attended the Jan. 16 city council meeting virtually from his hospital bed. Prior to that, he strived to attend as many meetings in-person as possible, even attending meetings in council chambers at the height of the pandemic, when most members were attending them virtually.
“I love my community,” Montpellier told Sudbury.com during the 2022 civic election season.
“I am a lifelong resident of Ward 3. I have always, by choice, resided in Ward 3. When my business grew to encompass most of North America, my head office always remained in Ward 3.”
Devoted to his home community, Montpellier said that he was “honoured” to raise his voice “in advocating for better resources and to forward important issues at city hall, including with the provincial and federal governments. I have brought forward our concerns about the obvious shortcomings and inequalities of our forced amalgamation.”
The City of Greater Sudbury is hosting a book of condolences for Montpellier's family, which will be open at three locations from Feb. 28 to March 22.
“We will never forget Councillor Montpellier’s passionate and genuine commitment to our community,” Lefebvre said in a city media release in which the book of condolences was announced. “He touched the lives of so many, and I encourage residents to share their condolences and memories with his family and friends, to bring them some comfort in their time of loss.”
The book of condolences will be available in the following locations:
- Tom Davies Square – One Stop Services (200 Brady St., Sudbury)
- Chelmsford Community Centre and Arena (215 Edward Ave., Chelmsford)
- Dowling Public Library and Citizen Service Centre (79 Main St. W., Dowling)
- Levack/Onaping Public Library (1 Hillside Ave., Onaping)
A virtual book of condolences is also available online by clicking here.
This has been a tragic month for Greater Sudbury city council. On Feb. 13, Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini was located deceased after being reported missing by his concerned family several days previous.
