It’s goodbye to Ernie Chiasson

Some distinguished guests – from Senator Raymond Lavigne to former Mayor Raymond Savard, as well as the Fire Department’s former directors Robert O’Reilly, Maurice and Jos Quinn, Jacques Montpetit and others – spoke eloquently of the generosity of Ernie Chiasson who was well-known for looking after the well-being of his fellow-parishioners and neighbours.

Hundreds of visitors waited in line to view the catafalque at the funeral home on de l'Église Street and to pay their respects to this Verdun resident of Acadian origin. The funeral service took place at the Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix church uniting all of the deceased’s former fire station colleagues, school personnel, elected officials and resident voters of district no. 3 whom he defended passionately as municipal councillor. Mr. Chiasson took over the position of Jacques “Coco” Lauzon at the fire department, his long time friend. The atmosphere was intimate and there was a feeling of solidarity at the Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix church and at the Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice church where a great number of volunteers, school administrators and teachers and former directors of the Caisse populaire gathered together. Several Borough Council members were also present. Former councillors Robert “Bob” Filiatrault and France Lecocq as well as Verdun court clerk Gérard Cyr were in attendance.

Margot Primeau, the sister of Ernie told the Messager “that a woman expressed her gratitude at the funeral parlour because Mr. Chiasson saved the life of her daughter during a fire at Edna Street.” A significant number of testimonials such as this one were expressed, due to the expansive career of this much-admired firefighter and his devotion to Verdun’s most underprivileged people throughout his life. The former president of the Loisirs Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix, Irène Plante, spoke of the preoccupations of Ernie about offering athletic and healthy recreational activities to neighbourhood youth. The funeral ceremonies were presided over by Father Laurent Ravenda, Marc Chiasson, the son of Ernie, and Alain Primeau, his nephew. They took turns delivering eulogies about Mr. Chiasson’s commitment and passion for hockey. Alain Primeau’s wish was that the Maple Leafs jacket of Ernie Chiasson be raised to the Auditorium’s ceiling.