It is with great sadness that the family of Louis-Marie Quesnel announces his passing on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the age of 86.
Louis was born August 27, 1940, to Emela and Victor Quesnel in the small community of St. Albert, Ont. He was raised on a small dairy farm along with ten brothers and sisters in nearby Crysler, Ont. It was during these younger years where he learned the value of hard work, deep Catholic faith and strong family values. At the end of Grade 8, he attended a private high school in Ottawa, Ont., run by the Oblate Fathers. It was during this period that Louis seriously considered devoting his life to the Catholic Church and becoming an Oblate priest. During his later years of high school, he changed paths, and decided upon a teaching career. In 1962, he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Ottawa as well as a Bachelor of Philosophy from St. Paul’s University, Ottawa. Louis then attended Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont., to obtain his teaching certificate.
His first teaching position was at Fort Frances High School in 1963, where he taught French. He planned on only staying for a few years and then move back to the Ottawa Valley. That was put on hold when, during his first year, he met the love of his life, Glenda Cates. They married on August 13, 1966, and had two wonderful boys together, Luc and Gilles. He spent the majority of his career teaching French, switching to work as a Guidance Counsellor for his last eleven years before retiring in 1996 at the same school board for his entire career.
Louis loved spending time with family and friends, hunting, fishing, woodworking and gardening along with time spent at the family cabin on Rainy Lake. He also enjoyed his volunteer work with organizations such as the local French Club, Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation and St. Mary’s Parish Council. The most important things in his life were family and his Catholic faith. He loved Glenda to the very end, doing everything for her. He showed his sons the tools to become who they both are today. He cherished his three grandsons Cole, Joshua, and Jesse, and in his later years, the twinkle in his eye was his great-granddaughter Kenslee.
Louis leaves to mourn his wife of 60 years Glenda; his sons Luc (Leeanne) and Gilles (Sheila); grandsons Cole (Danielle), Joshua (Mercedes) and Jesse, along with great-granddaughter Kenslee Quesnel and special great-grandsons Jameer Corneille and Dominic Caul; brother Henri (Janine) of Casselman, Ont.; sisters Lucienne Quesnel of Cornwall, Ont., and Marie-Paule Bessey of Chelmsford, Ont.; brothers-in-law Eric (Shirley) Cates and Allan (Lenore) Cates both of Fort Frances, Ont.; sisters-in-law Grace (George) Bird of West Vancouver, B.C., and Linda (Morris) Begin of Armstrong, B.C.
He was predeceased by his parents, along with numerous brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and in-laws.
A celebration of life is being held at 12 noon on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fort Frances, Ont., with Fr. Kevin Ezeobi, SMMM presiding. A private interment will follow immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation or Canadian Cancer Research Society.
Dad, you gave us such a wonderful life and years of memories we will cherish forever! May your soul find a well deserved rest.
