Obituary: Jacques Tétrault '43

Jacques Tétrault ’43 died November 11, 2017, in his 90^th year. Through the years, he was an inspiration for positive thinking and making the most of life. He possessed the finest of human qualities: integrity, compassion humility and a loving heart. He was blessed with a great mind and was a respected leader in his communities. Jacques was an accomplished tax and corporate lawyer who was instrumental in founding the first nationwide Canadian law firm, McCarthy Tétrault, LLP, in 1990. An astute visionary with common sense and a keen sense of humour, he was an exemplary managing partner, considered by his peers to be the moral compass of the firm. As counsel and mentor to staff and firm members in Quebec and beyond, he was a fair and principled leader who was among the first to champion the rights of women partners and promote diversity and work/life balance. Jacques is survived by his loving wife, Hope; his daughters, Lucie (Lisa Swerdlow) and Annie (Shawn) Belecki and their children Brynn, Brooke and Aaron; stepson Ian Ogilvie (Marran) and their children Angus Malcolm and Eleanor; and his grandchildren Chelsea and Patrick. He was predeceased by his son, Richard, and his five siblings, including his twin brother, André. A heartfelt thank-you to the wonderful staff at Westmount One and in particular his devoted caregiver, Eralyn (Ira) Villegas. A funeral service was held at the Church of St, Andrew and St. Paul on November 27. Please donate to the AGI Alzheimer Group or a charity of your choice.
Gazette obituary

 

Jacques had three brothers who also attended Selwyn House: André ’43, Claude ’33 and Robert ’36. His son Richard also attended Selwyn House, as did his nephews Michael ’78 and Robert ’76 (both sons of André). Jacques served on the Selwyn House Old Boys’ Board from 1962-1965, serving as President in his final year.