Giroux, Marcel

Jul 19, 2023

It is with great heaviness of heart that the family of Marcel Aquila Giroux announce his passing, suddenly after a brief illness, at Smiths Falls Hospital, July 14, 2023. He is predeceased by his father, Aurele Giroux (1910 – 2003), his mother, Aline, nee Facette (1910 – 1995), his brother Gaetan (1938–2007), his sister-in-law Estelle (1938–2010), and grandson Felix (b. and d. Aug 01/2008), and numerous uncles and aunts on either side. Survived by wife Pamela Margaret, nee Riggins, by his sons Joel, Christian, Camille, and Marc; by daughters-in-law Jackie Ferris, Suzie Ungerleider, and Lynda Giroux; by his grandchildren, Tai, Zoe, Ramona, Alec, Izabella, Xander, Olivia, and Kira; by his great granddaughters Stephanie and Ariel; by his nieces and nephews, Daniel, Alain, Francine, Ghislain, and Charles, and Benjamin and Tobias; by his brotherin-law Sheldon Jacobs, sister-in-law Suzanne Jacobs, nee Riggins, and by many, many other cousins, 2nd cousins, and extended family.

Born in Cornwall, Ontario, on December 5th, 1932, Marcel attended College Bourget and graduated from there in 1950. Marcel came to Sharbot Lake High School to teach French and Physical Education in 1956, served as the interim principal in the mid-60s, then became Head of Student Services (Guidance) in 1968, a position he held until his retirement in 1988. After retirement, he almost immediately began working on various new projects, including the new St. James’ Catholic Church in Sharbot Lake. He was an entrepreneur, and thrived as a financial advisor with his former student, Wayne Robinson, helping to build Robinson and Associates into a huge, thriving business.

Marcel epitomized the term “pillar of the community”, and devoted much of his life to serving the common good. He was first elected to municipal council in what was then Oso Township in the fall of 1972, and served in many capacities there for thirteen years, as councillour, Deputy Reeve, and Reeve. Marcel was integral in developing North Frontenac Community Services, in transforming the shoreline below the Medical Centre into the Sharbot Lake Public Beach, and in the construction of the Picadilly Arena. A voracious reader and student of history, Marcel was the chair of the County Library Board, and was integral in establishing the Kingston Frontenac Public Library before the amalgamation of municipalities in 1996. He instigated and helped oversee and implement 911 services in the area at that same time. His wife, Pamela, a devoted North Frontenac Little Theatre participant, inspired Marcel to contribute to the local theatre community as producer of numerous shows from the late 90s. Marcel had been Cadet Leader at Sharbot Lake High School during his time there, had gone through basic training, and had made his way up to Major by the early 60s. He was a proud member of Legion Branch 425, and served there as Padre for fifteen years, retiring from that position only recently.

As one community member once told his eldest son, Joel, “One of the things I respect most about your Dad is that when he sees a need somewhere, something missing, he fills it. He can’t just let it be. His moral centre won’t allow him to let those things go. He’s an initiator, and a finisher. That’s rare.”

Lover of music, of Jazz, in particular; lover of languages and literature, a student of Latin, Greek, French and English; voracious reader of the Classics, of spy and mystery fiction; student of history, particularly of the Second World War; Marcel was a man of innumerable interests and areas of mastery. He was a devoted student all his life, collecting a huge library of Great Courses, which he attended from his favourite chair, studying everything from Medieval history, to music, and other languages, right up to his final days.

He was a wise, loving man, and caring father, and never stopped speaking with pride about his son’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments.

Visitation will be held at Goodfellow’s Funeral Home in Parham on Friday, July 21 at 1pm, which will conmclude with a full legion service, at 3pm.. His funeral will be at 11am, Saturday, July 22, at St. James’ Catholic Church in Sharbot Lake.