The greater Collège Bourget community is mourning the loss of one of its own on October 31. On Monday October 30, Father Louis Genest, a member of the Congrégation des Clercs de Saint-Viateur, passed away while residing at the Centre Champagneur in Joliette. 

He was 100 years and one month old. At Collège Bourget, he was a key figure for nearly 67 years. Some will remember him as the person in charge of a room in the basement of the main pavilion where pets such as rabbits, fish and rodents were kept. At every open house held at the school, Mr. Genest's laboratory was a favorite spot for the hundreds of visitors who attended. 

After arriving at Collège Bourget in 1953 and retiring in 2019, Mr. Genest also distinguished himself as a teacher of natural sciences and a mentor to young biologists. His legacy will also live on at the Centre écologique de Port-au-Saumon in Charlevoix, a youth resort he founded and directed for many years during the summer season. 

For those wishing to pay their last respects, a prayer vigil will be held in his memory on Thursday, November 2 at 7 p.m. at Maison Charlebois. A funeral service, with ashes in attendance, will be held at the same location on Friday, November 3 at 10:30 a.m., followed by interment in the Congrégation de Clercs St-Viateur cemetery in Rigaud.