Sports presenter and commentator Paul Houde has died following complications from surgery earlier this week. He was 69 years old.
• Also read: The sports world reacts to the death of Paul Houde
His sister Johanne and brother Pierre confirmed the news on Saturday via publications on social networks.
“It is with a broken heart that I have to announce the death of my beloved brother Paul,” wrote his brother Pierre Houde in a message posted on Saturday morning, March 2nd, around 5:00 p.m.
It is with a broken heart that I announce the death of my beloved brother Paul. He left us unexpectedly, but gently, around 5:00 that Saturday morning, March 2nd. Thank you in advance for your thoughts. Thank you for respecting the family's privacy, dear friends.
— Pierre Houde (@PierreHoudeRDS) March 2, 2024
“He recently bravely and successfully underwent major surgery to remove a mass from his brain,” his sister Johanne wrote in a message posted on Facebook. Unfortunately, due to complications, his heart suddenly stopped.”
Paul Houde was born in Montreal in 1954 and had a long and successful career in Quebec media, particularly as a sports commentator.
He began his career in radio in 1975 on CKAC 730.
Over the years he has covered numerous major sporting events such as the Superbowl, the Olympics and the Pan American Games on TVA, TQS and Radio-Canada, among others.
Paul Houde was also an analyst for Canadiens hockey games on TVA Sports.
He has also hosted and co-hosted several television plays such as “Lingo” and “Le Cercle” and also portrayed the role of Fernand on the big screen in the legendary film series “Les Boys”.
He was known for his exceptional memory, particularly in sports statistics, and for his excellent general knowledge.
Following the announcement of his death, Quebec Premier François Legault paid tribute to him in a publication on X.
“What a nice man in public and in private,” he wrote.
What a nice man in public and in private.
As a long-time radio host, it was always nice to do an interview with him.
I have such funny memories of his exchanges with Marc Labrèche and his character “Fern” in “The Boys.”
As a numbers fan, he was…— François Legault (@francoislegault) March 2, 2024
More details to follow…