Mr. Jean-Marc Bourassa

1936 - 2017

At the age of 81, Jean-Marc Bourassa passed away at the Cité de la santé hospital in Laval. He is survived by the mother of his children Denise, his children Christian (Nathalie), Jean (Marie-José), Marc (Anne-Marie), Catherine (Stéphane) and grandchildren Alexandre, Lysane, Sandrine, Stéphanie, Yannick, Maxime and Florence, his brothers and sisters Rollande, Jeanne, Martial, Claire, Bertrand, Clémence, Diane as well as many siblings-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and all those who worked with him in addition to Maria who accompanied him to the end.

Born in Saint-Barnabé, Mauricie, he began his career as a mechanic in the late 1950s. Seasoned worker and eager to learn, he graduated from the General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan which ignited is entrepreneurial and business management skills. In 1972, he opened his first retail facility, Bourassa Pontiac Buick GMC in the middle of a field before the construction of Boulevard St-Martin and Autoroute 19. Visionary and successful businessman, Jean-Marc Bourassa, in addition to having opened several other dealerships, was one of the co-founders of Leader Auto Resources LAR in 1980, which is now the largest dealer purchasing group in North-America with over 1,750 dealer-members. As a pillar of the automotive industry and mentor for all, he sat on innumerable committees for manufacturers, automobile trade associations and the Montreal Auto Show. He was also recipient of numerous honors and tributes such as the prestigious Time Magazine Award, the GM Triple Crown and the Dunamis prize awarded to the company of the year in Laval. He also contributed to several charities. His greatest talent was to recognize that of others and to surround himself with admirable and creative people to whom he vowed an unwavering loyalty which earned him the respect of all. Generous, humble and discreet, never wanting to disturb anyone, he was endowed with values based on honesty and integrity. Caring father and family man, the welfare of his relatives passed before his own comfort. A great aficionado of journeys and cruises, he was an excellent mariner and enjoyed power boats as he practiced water-skiing until 77. In the days before his hospitalization, he had gone to his boat to nap while being gently rocked on a quiet lake. Perfectionist, wine and food connoisseur, he appreciated things that were well made including the Cadillac cars he drove for 33 years. Jean-Marc Bourassa was a remarkable man who will forever be present in our hearts and whose memory will inspire us eternally with serenity and plenitude.

The family will welcome relatives and friends on Sunday, September 24 from 2 pm to 5 pm and 7 pm to 10 pm at the Alfred Dallaire MEMORIA complex located at 2159 boul. St-Martin East Laval.

On Monday, September 25 at 10 am, Mr. Jean-Marc Bourassa will be honored in a chapel of rest at the Sainte-Dorothée church (655 Principale St., Dorothée). The funeral will follow at 11 am.

Your thoughts of sympathy can be expressed by way of a donation to the Thoracic surgery research Foundation of Montreal.