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In memoriam: Former Liberal MP Benoit Serré 'fought for his region'

The uncle of current Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré passed away May 11
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Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré is seen here with his uncle Benoit Serré, also a former Liberal MP from the region. Benoit Serré passed away at age 68 May 11.(Supplied)

Benoit Serré, a former Liberal MP from the region, and the uncle to current Nickel Belt Liberal MP Marc Serré, passed away May 11 at the age of 68.

Serré, who was an accountant and business consultant before entering politics, represented the riding of Timiskaming-French River from 1993 to 1997 and Timiskaming-Cochrane from 1997 to 2004, when he retired from politics.

He was the first Francophone representative to be elected in that riding, and went on to serve as parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources.

Gaetan Serré — Benoit Serré's brother and Marc Serré's father, who passed away in 2017 — was also the Liberal MP for the neighbouring riding of Nickel Belt from 1968 to 1972.

“I am truly humbled and proud to have followed their paths of public service since being elected as MP for Nickel Belt in 2015,” said Marc Serré in a press release.

Serré also paid tribute to his uncle and his father in the House of Commons.

"Uncle Ben always favoured the best interest of communities," Serré said. "He was proud of his Indigenous and Algonquin heritage and, as a northerner, he made sure their voices were heard in Ottawa ... the little guy from Verner, rest in peace, Uncle Benoit."

Timmins-James Bay New Democrat MP Charlie Angus also put out a press release about Serré's passing.

“I worked with Ben on many issues,” Angus said. “He was a guy who fought for his region and bucked the system. He even stood up at times to his own party."

Serré is a true northerner and will be remembered for representing constituents, and not his party’s brass, he added.

"Rest in peace, my friend,” said Angus, in the press release. “You left us far too early."

Serré is survived by his two daughters Ginette St Georges (Michel) and Julie Serre (Ken Elliott) and his grandchildren Stephanie (Sam), Melanie (Chris), Erik, Darren (Amy) and Miguel (Samantha).

He also leaves behind great-grandsons Sawyer, Kaiden, Theodore and many brothers and sisters; Pauline (Ronald), Florence, Adrienne, Lucien (Jeanne), Bernard (Leticia), Gerry (Betty), Marcel and Eugene (Patricia, Daniel (Sylvie).

He's predeceased by Gaetan, Ubald, Andre, Claude, Lilianne and Therese. Lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Serré's life takes place at the Warren Arena Saturday, May 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 


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