Edgar Gallant

GALLANT, Edgar It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Edgar Gallant, in Ottawa, on Thursday, November 28, 2019. Predeceased by his wife and love of his life Annette Louise Perras. He will be greatly missed by his children Pierre (Anna Pulice), Louise, Marie (Jeff Sinclair), Christel (Martin Michaud) and his grand-children Caroline (Brad Rohrig), David, Philippe and Edgar. He also leaves behind two brothers Dolor (Mélina Barriault) and Elmer (Avola Arsenault), his sister Louise (late Joseph Arsenault) and his brothers¬ in-law and sisters-in-law Paul Perras (Wilma Theophilus), Madeleine (late Gérard Gauthier), Claire (late Jean Grenier) and Marthe (late Jean Gagnon). He was predeceased by his parents Cyrus P. Gallant and Edna Arsenault from Prince Edward Island, by his brothers Donat (late Emily Gaudet), Tilmon (Doreen Barriault), Edmond (Zelma Arsenault) and Gustave (late Thelma Arsenault) and by his sister Rita (late Tilmon Arsenault). He was a well-known Canadian public servant who served his country with pride and dedication. He worked in various domains including domestic and international economic relations, Canadian intergovernmental relations and as chairperson of the National Capital Commission and of the Public Service Commission. His contribution was recognized by numerous awards including Officer of the Order of Canada, Officer of l'Ordre de la Pléiade of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, the Vanie Medal of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada and the Prix Boréal of the Fédération des Communautés Francophones et Acadienne du Canada. For him a non-partisan public service is one of our fundamental institutions of democracy. He believed deeply in the value of coast to coast linguistic duality for Canada. In retirement he advised the governments of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia for the establishment of school systems for their francophone communities, devoted time and effort to the establishment of the French Language Health Services Network of Eastern Ontario as well as providing a helping hand to the Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones serving francophone communities in minority situation across Canada. There will be no visitation. Funeral will be private. A commemorative ceremony will take place at Beechwood, Funeral Cemetery and Cremation Services, 280 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa on Friday, January 17 from 3-5 p.m.