Pierre Alexandre Meunier

Pierre passed away peacefully in the arms of his beloved Barbara.

Pierre is survived by his wife Barbara Ursel, sisters Pierrette and Nicole, his adored nephews Willem (Kelly) Van Westerop and Stephane (Karen) Van Westerop, dear sister-in-law Nancy Ursel, as well as treasured friends and neighbours who were like family, and who will cherish his memory.  Pierre was predeceased by his sister Carmen, niece Melissa Van Westerop, and parents Henri and Cécile Meunier (née Lagassé).

Pierre and Barbara met in their 50’s.  Playing tennis.  Whoever would have predicted it?  They were both smitten, married in 2008 and stayed smitten to the very end.  Pierre and Barb had an inseparable bond and brought infinite joy, love and fun to each other’s lives.

Pierre, a francophone kid who had never before studied in English, got his high school education in all boy-classes at St Joseph’s, an English speaking, largely Irish-Canadian private school. A character-building experience!  After a few early post secondary educational missteps, Pierre graduated from Carleton University in 2006 (BA Law and Political Science), a degree that he worked hard for and achieved while employed full time.  If only his father could have lived to see that.  Pierre had a deeply satisfying career of public service spanning more than 32 years in the field of labour relations (after early forays into football, paper-making and house-building).  He worked in occupational safety and health and public safety with the National Capital Commission before joining Labour Canada, working in Toronto, Moncton and mostly the National Capital Region in both operational and policy areas relating to health and safety.   Pierre’s career made life safer for Canadians as he investigated workplaces to ensure that they were safe.  This included the difficult task of investigating workplace injuries and fatalities. And he made lifelong friends amongst his Labour colleagues.  But the Labour role that probably meant the most to Pierre, and that he spoke about most frequently in recent days, was his creation of the Aboriginal Labour Affairs Office.  Pierre approached this work with humility and recognition of how much he had to learn.  He was deeply  appreciative of all who taught him, including elders,  colleagues in the Labour program and across government, and those who invited him into sweat lodge ceremonies.

Pierre in a nutshell:   Lifelong-learner; Good Samaritan to wild birds; the most loyal friend, husband, uncle and neighbour; Pierrette’s loving little brother; admirer and grower of roses; fierce advocate for what is right and just, and determined change-maker for what is not; adored son who used to bring his mother late-night  take-out Chinese food;  stickler for safety; extroverted; action-oriented and practical; possessor of the most wonderful laugh and smile; brave; compassionate; cycling affectionado; art-lover and Barb’s #1 fan and supporter in her art career; house-proud; car-crazy.

Pierre’s family, friends and all of the medical professionals who cared for Pierre knew him to be a determined fighter.  He battled a rare cancer for over 3 years and bravely underwent multiple surgeries, treatments and procedures (and their countless complications) with the bravest spirit and an absolute determination to beat the disease.  All because he loved his life and the people in it so very much.

It takes a village to fight a battle of this sort and Pierre was supported along the way by caring professionals at the Ottawa Hospital, the Toronto General Hospital, long-time family doctor Dr. Elizabeth Sawyers and Champlain Region Home & Community Care Support Services (including care coordinator Naomie Vumi and his wonderful home care nurse Katie from St. Elizabeth Healthcare).  Pierre always took the time to let his caregivers know how important their work was and how much he appreciated them.

So many stepped up and provided the essential help (and love) to get Pierre and Barb through it all with as little pain and as many light moments, as possible.  Recognizing that this list will inevitably contains egregious omissions, it will never be possible to thank the following people enough:  Daphne, Linda and Tamra, Heather and Rob (who is missed every single day), Madeline and Ian (also dearly missed), John and Karen, Frank and Éliette, Nancy, and Willem and Kelly.

Finally, there are really no words to describe the superb care provided by the doctors, nurses, support workers, spiritual and social workers, administrators, occupational therapists and nutrition and food services personnel affiliated with the Palliative Care Unit at Saint-Vincent Hospital.   When Pierre (and Barb) arrived there in November 2024 they knew they would be safe.  Soon they grew to feel treasured as well.  And so very supported.   In March of 2025, when it became clear that even Pierre’s great fighting spirit could not overcome his disease, Dr Matt Yau helped Pierre transition with great dignity from fight mode to a place of peaceful appreciation of a life well-lived, with much love and so many accomplishments to be proud of.  Dr Yau has decades of medical practice ahead of him but, even if he were to hang up his stethoscope tomorrow, his exceptional work with Pierre and Barb would be more than many people accomplish in a lifetime and we are eternally grateful to him.

In lieu of flowers, if you are able to make a donation in Pierre’s memory to the Palliative Care Unit of Saint-Vincent Hospital (Bruyère Health) it will be appreciated.   

The memorial service will be held on Wednesday March 19th at 1p.m. at Beechwood National Memorial Centre (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa).