The Lemaire family has announced the death of Bernard Lemaire, co-founder of Cascades, at the age of 87. The family business has numerous facilities around the world, including one in Vaudreuil-Dorion. 

Bernard Lemaire was born in Drummondville, Quebec, in 1936. In 1960, he joined his family's scrap recovery business, Drummond Pulp and Fiber.

Four years later, under his impetus and with the support of his brothers Laurent and Alain, a second life was given to the disused Dominion Paper Cie mill in Kingsey Falls. He then laid the foundations for Cascades, which would become a North American, and even European, leader in eco-responsible recovery, packaging and hygiene solutions.

Built in 1976 for Canadian International Paper, the Cascades plant on Forbes Street in Vaudreuil-Dorion was purchased by the Lemaire family in 1992. Today, the plant employs nearly 200 people, most of them from the Vaudreuil-Soulangeoise community.

His brothers Laurent and Alain paid tribute to him: "Bernard was an exceptional man, a larger-than-life character. Visionary, generous and charismatic, he convinced countless people and communities to participate in an immense project, the project of his life: Cascades. His career embodies the emergence of a francophone Québec inc. proud of its roots. Our big brother was a great man. Today, he is a legend.

"Bernard is the source of the ingenuity and dedication of some 10,000 Stuntmen and Stuntwomen," said Mario Plourde, President and CEO. "It's thanks to him that they work today in a multinational that sets the standard and whose vision, success and values are lauded. He gave the company the impetus that has made it grow and shine for nearly 60 years. His legacy is rich and will live on for a long time to come. On behalf of all Cascades employees, I would like to offer the Lemaire family and Bernard's loved ones our deepest condolences.

Bernard Lemaire's contribution to the business world has been recognized on many occasions. In 1985, Finances magazine named him Businessman of the Year. In 1991, the Association des professionnels en ressources humaines du Québec awarded him the Iris d'honneur for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of human resources management.

He has been decorated with the insignia of Officer of the Order of Canada, Officer of the Ordre national du Québec and Chevalier de l'Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur, awarded by the President of the French Republic.

He has also received honorary doctorates from the Université de Sherbrooke, the École des Hautes Études Commerciales, the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and the Université du Québec à Montréal. A leading figure in modern Quebec, the man embodies entrepreneurship.

Flags on all company buildings will be flown at half-mast, and commemorative activities will take place.