Mr. Noël Rodrigue

In Montreal, on July 20, 2024 Noël Rodrigue passed away at 88 years of age. He leaves his loving wife Louise Charron, his brother Robert (Émilienne), his sisters-in-law Jeannine (Henri), Gwen (Lucien) et Colette Charron. He leaves many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, several cousins including Sister Irène Rioux s.g.m. as well as many lifetime friends.

Noël was born on December 25th 1935 in St-Pierre Jolys, Manitoba, the son of Flavie Rioux and Arthur Rodrigue. He entered the Jesuits in 1956 upon completion of his studies at Université de Saint-Boniface. He spent ten years in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia teaching English and Social Sciences at Tafari Makonnen school, an establishment directed by Canadian Jesuits since 1945. He was very involved in extra-curricular activities including the Boy Scouts. He organized volunteer projects, group hikes, the learning of survival skills and leadership. Noël had a talent for languages and spoke Amharic fluently, which was an advantage in his relationships with the students and their parents. Noël was very well-liked and respected both by his students and his Jesuit colleagues, creating a strong influence and impression on all who knew him. His time in Africa resulted in many strong friendships.

Re-establishing himself in Montreal Noël studied for and received a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling at McGill University. Returning to the secular life he became a Guidance Counselor with the Catholic School Commission of Montreal during which time he shared his skills at Cité des Prairies for several years.

Noël’s life’s values were empathy, kindness, active listening, friendship, spirituality and love.