After a life of community and politics, André Lavallée died on Sunday morning at the age of 70, his wife Chantale Bertrand said on Facebook. In particular, we owe him the first city map of the city of Montreal and the founding of BIXI.
Posted 7:23pm Updated 8:59pm
Lila Dussault The Press
“It is with great sadness that I announce that my beloved André passed away this morning,” Chantale Bertrand announced on Sunday evening on the former politician’s Facebook page. André was a loving husband, caring father and grandfather. He leaves a significant legacy in his Montreal community, and particularly in East Montreal and in his beloved Rosemont neighborhood, both through his militant involvement and through the public offices he has held. »
André Lavallée died of cancer on Sunday morning surrounded by his family at the St-Raphaël palliative care home in Montreal.
The politician served as Mayor of the Montreal District and Vice President of the Montreal Executive Committee from 2005 to 2009 under the banner of the Union Montreal. He has also held several positions with the Quebec government and cultural organizations in Montreal. We owe him in particular the first city map of Montreal and his first traffic plan. In doing so, he contributed to the rehabilitation of the old Angus factories and the creation of the bike-sharing system BIXI.
“It was a project factory, he was driving 140 kilometers an hour and you had to follow him! recalls Mario Fortin, a longtime friend of André Lavallée and owner of the Beaubien cinema in Rosemont.
“André Lavallée was truly a visionary and a chess player who brought people from different backgrounds together to advance a project,” continues Mr. Fortin. And all for the advancement of Rosemont, Montreal and the collective good. »
For Vincent Marissal, deputy of Rosemont, André Lavallée was a “monument” in the neighborhood. “He really is someone who has been able to overcome his own partisanship [politique], because Rosemont and East Montreal really was his priority. He had Rosemont tattooed on his heart.
An online tribute
The death of André Lavallée had a quick reaction on social networks, collecting hundreds of messages of sympathy on Facebook.
“It is with sadness that I learned of the death of André Lavallée, a great Montrealer who gave so much to our city,” Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante wrote on Twitter. We will continue his work to build a Montreal that resembles us. My heartfelt condolences to Mr Lavallée’s family and loved ones. »
Official opposition leader Aref Salem offered his condolences to Mr Lavallée’s family on Twitter: […] He devoted his life to public affairs. Thank you for your great contribution! My condolences to Chantale and her family. »
casual photographer
One of André Lavallée’s final legacies is a photographic exhibition entitled Montreal: Figures and Fragments, which will be on display at Mont-Royal Avenue between Rivard and Resther Streets until September 5th. “Because the city is basically an imaginary space that only comes to life through the project of a community to inhabit it in its own way, unique like no other,” wrote Mr. Lavallée about the exhibition. “I’ve always believed that as an actor you first have to experience everyday life in your city. »