“Always wanted to be the last one to leave the party…”
On Tuesday, December 6, surrounded by his loving family, Jean passed away at his home in Ottawa, on his own terms, at the age of 63. He put up a good fight against cancer since his initial diagnosis 12 months ago. He was glad to see his first grandchild through his first year, to attend his daughter Caroline’s wedding, to have trips with his family, and to spend time with his friends and his extended family.
The second of four children of Céline and Lucien Boutin, Jean had a charmed childhood. He spent his summers and weekends at the family cottage in St. Donat, where his father taught him to downhill ski and water ski.
He met his soulmate Laura at Concordia University in 1981. They married in 1986 and moved to Ottawa, where he raised his family and worked for the federal government for 30 years.
Jean was not defined by his work. He loved being with his family, and spent his free time taking his family camping, hiking, skiing, biking and cottaging. He was overjoyed when he had the chance to bring his family to Paris for a three-year posting, and made sure that they lived the experience to the fullest.
Jean always said that his greatest accomplishment was his children. When his children were grown up, and the “teachable moments” were fewer and farther between, he organized trips with his friends. After his retirement in 2018, he filled his days with volunteering (Canadian Red Cross and the Children’s Aid Society) and great gigs like Mont Tremblant’s Info-Ski and driving RVs down south.
Jean leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Laura; his children Jonathan (Ali Campbell), Caroline (Christophe Ledent), Émilie, and Olivier (Hope Gaze), as well as his grandson Leo. He also leaves behind his mother Céline, and his siblings Hélène, André and Philippe and their families, and his brother-in-law David Harries and his family. There are extended family members and many friends who will miss him terribly. He was often the first guy up the mountain, the last guy to go to bed, and the loudest person in the room.
Many thanks to Dr. Canil, Dr. Fitzgibbon, Dr. Gupta and all of their colleagues for the excellent care provided. They left no stone unturned and we are truly grateful.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life at Beechwood Cemetery (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa) at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 16.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Le fonds Jean Boutin Fund (https://www.ocf-fco.ca/fonds-jean-boutin-fund/). Tax receipts will be provided. Jean’s buddies set up this fund to honour his memory and the many sporting activities they did together over the decades. Through the Ottawa Community Foundation, funds collected will enable less fortunate families and children to participate in sporting activities, something that was very close to Jean’s heart.
Digital Guestbook
Lynne Doré
Heather Lobban
My deepest condolences at the loss of a bright spirit, an unforgettable character and a funny and happy man!
Ken BULL and Carol BROWNE
Jean you will be missed by your family and extended JB SKI CLUB family. Many ski turns down the hill will be made and in the trees in your memory ol buddy.You will never be forgotten and the Mont Tremblant wind will always call out to you..to be there with us. Happy trails.
Lorraine & Jean-Claude Bernais
Nos plus sincères condoléances
Guy Pressault
J’ai eu le plaisir de cotoyer Jean en tant qu’InfoSki à Mont-Tremblant.
Je garde de lui un souvenir de jeunesse éternelle.
Qu’il repose en paix.
Mes plus sincères condoléances à tous ses proches
Diane Doré
Mes plus sincères sympathies à toute la famille ?
Diane Carrière
Mes sympathies à toute la famille de Jean. J'ai travaillé avec Jean au gouvernement. Jean était un homme toujours souriant et aimable. Il sera manqué par tous. Bon repas éternel mon Jean.
Potvin Family
Our deepest condolences during this difficult time. May those many happy memories spent with family and friends bring you comfort.
LP
Nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille Boutin. Jean avait le coeur sur la main. Doté d’un incroyable sens de l’humour, j’ai eu le plaisir des moments incroyables avec lui en Afrique. Repose en paix mon ami.
Louis Browne
Mes sincères condoléances à la famille Boutin, j’ai toujours apprécié discuter avec Jean, nous nous sommes connus à Montréal en 2001 lorsqu’il nous donnait de la formation en informatique. Toujours souriant et un bout en train, il avait su rendre cette formation plus intéressante. À Ottawa, plusieurs années plus tard, nous nous sommes retrouvés et avions pu échanger sur divers sujets, dont la famille, qui était très important pour lui. Tu nous manqueras tous Jean, tu es partie trop tôt, reposes en paix.
RIP cher Jean....tu nous a quitté trop tôt? Je garde de bons souvenirs de conversations, les cours informatiques étaient définitivement plusse le fun quand tu étais le prof. Un homme avec un grand sens d'humour et une grande joie de vivre. On va te manquer...sincères condoléances à toute la famille. Prières et pensées sont avec vous tous durant cette période difficile. Bon courage.