Jacques Luc Fillion

While writing this obituary, I wanted these words to capture the essence of Jacques. To relay his joie de vi·vre. To condense this in a few lines is difficult. His son, Adrien, and I can tell you these truths. Jacques was a sailor, an artist, a stained-glass maker, a carver, an athlete (Go!Habs!Go!) an engineer, a lover of animals and nature, a dear friend, a loving son and brother, a good father, and a fabulous husband. Jacques had a great sense of humor but had difficulty retelling a joke. His delivery ended up being funnier than the joke. He was an avid ‘car guy’ who could name the model and the year without a problem.
Jacques was born in Montréal to Annette and Maurice. The family lived in Cote St-Luc with sisters Micheline and Liette. Jacques, as he stated, “lived his misspent youth” there. Later, he graduated from school and completed his apprenticeship at Polytechnique Montréal to become a mechanical engineer. He left Montréal in the 1970s going to Toronto with some of his buddies, and then further west to Calgary, Vancouver, and later Edmonton. He had lifelong friends, and they participated in many shenanigans which should not be told here. However, buzzwords will spark the memories of those involved: 1968 Mustang, the Bon Voyage Tavern, the Copacabana, St. Sauveur, Hull QC, and Vancouver Racquetball Club, to name a few. Jacques cherished his longtime friends as was heard by his hearty laughter when talking on the phone or when they got together.
Jacques worked on some fascinating projects throughout his career. He especially liked working at SFU and on Canadarm1. He was meticulous with his work and stressed the importance of precision. He was a lifelong learner and completed his CNC training in his 50s.
Jacques was a traveler, a true Gemini, who traveled to the Caribbean, the USA, Puerto Vallarta (pronounce the l’s as he did), and throughout Canada. While holidaying in Mazatlán in 2012 Jacques got down on bended knee and proposed to Sue on Valentine’s Day no less. Surrounded by family and friends they were married in their dear friends’ backyard at Blind Bay BC.
Jacques loved to sail and spent many years sailing on the West coast of BC, he participated in the Swiftshure race, sailboat racing in the winter out of West Vancouver Yacht Club and owned a 24’ sailboat pleasure craft. Again, more tales and one that included a freighter, his sailboat, and a half sack of beer. Moving to the prairies did not stop Jacques from taking to the water. Jacques belonged to the Cooking Lake Sailing Club for several years. One winter much to Sue’s chagrin, Jacques built a puddle duck racer boat in their basement. Relying on his engineering expertise, he needed to make it an inch smaller to fit through the basement door. Christened the Quacker Jack, he launched it in Blind Bay. He sailed the North Saskatchewan River and nearby lakes several times before selling it and buying a kayak.
Jacques took great delight in kayaking! Ever the engineer, he outfitted the kayak with a sail using PVC pipe, rigging, and shower curtains, among other materials. He would often go out with friends for day trips. We always had some sort of watercraft with us when we went to BC for summer vacations, even so far as bringing my inflatable kayak in the Mustang. He always wanted to go kayaking with Adrien.
Jacques and I met later in life but managed to pack a lot of adventures into a short time. He was so thoughtful and would surprise me with flowers for no reason. He left notes in my lunch when I was
working. He encouraged me and supported me when I got my master’s degree. A gal could not have asked for a more loving, kind, gentle, and supportive partner. Jacques was the love of my life, and I was his.
My sweetheart leaves behind many friends, nephews, nieces, and his dear sister, Liette (George). My sister LaVerne and partner Calvin. His talented son, Adrien, and our amazing daughter-in-law, Mahtab. And he left me behind… for now, but in the last letter he wrote me he said, “We will see each other again that is for sure.” I will take you at your word my sweetheart. Je t'aime de tout mon coeur. Kiss Kiss.
Jacques requested no service but there will be celebrations