DELLAR, Michael Leonard
Michael Dellar died at his residence on Jan 12, 2023, after a short heroic battle with cancer.
Mike is survived and missed by his loving wife, of 41 years Claire (née Montillet). Forever cherished and remembered by his parents, Barbara, and Leonard. Awaiting him by taking the eternal journey first, is his beloved sister, TC, (Gavin Fernandes). His memory will be cherished by his other siblings, Lois (James Milvain), Howard (Dianne Cachia), and Mary (Sean McAleer) and inlaws, Katia (John Lilley), Mireille and Christine.
Mike’s memory lives on with his nieces and nephews; Karine (Pascal), Conor, Jonathan, Nicholas, Liam, Sarah and great niece, Abby and great nephew, Dilan.
Mike love of sport was instilled at an early age while playing hockey and baseball in Laval and earning a black belt in karate. As stellar quarterback of his football team at Loyola High School he earned the nickname “the Arm.”
He earned a BSc (Loyola), BEng (Carleton), MEng and MBA (McGill). Mike had many professions throughout his life working as an engineer and executive for Alcan and Lafarge and later running his own firms in Quebec, Ohio, and Arizona. He spent the last 12 years as a respected professor and Chairman of the Civil Engineering Department at Dawson College. He and Claire were avid volunteers for many organizations including working in the emergency triage of Mt Carmel Hospital in Ohio and supporting the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence (Claire playing the piano and Mike helping to wash pots and make sure that no leftover treats went to waste!)
Mike had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He often spent his spare time researching topics of interest, reading books or writing. Ohio State’s biggest fan, he wouldn’t let much interrupt his time with his beloved Buckeyes unless it was to receive a homemade cookie delivery! Mike and Claire loved to entertain, and the door was always open to family, friends, and neighbours. Mike loved his dogs (Inca and Belle) and the real boss of the house, Kitty.
He had very strong values and was well liked due to his positive energy. His legacy will carry on forever reminding us that we control our attitudes and to choose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service.
Visitation will take place Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 10:30am -12:30pm at Voluntas, 4695 St-Jean Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Qc H9H 2A7. Funeral will be held at 1PM.
A staunch supporter of access to palliative care, in lieu of flowers we would appreciate donations in his memory to the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence.
“When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.” Dalai Lama
Michael Dellar est décédé à sa résidence le 12 janvier 2023, après une courte bataille héroïque contre le cancer.
Mike laisse dans le deuil son épouse aimante de 41 ans, Claire (née Montillet). Ses parents, Barbara et Leonard, le chériront et se souviendront toujours de lui. Sa sœur bien-aimée, TC (Gavin Fernandes), l’attend après avoir pris la première le voyage éternel. Sa mémoire sera chérie par ses autres frères et sœurs, Lois (James Milvain), Howard (Dianne Cachia), et Mary (Sean McAleer) et ses beaux-parents, Katia (John Lilley), Mireille et Christine.
La mémoire de Mike est perpétuée par ses nièces et neveux : Karine (Pascal), Conor, Jonathan, Nicholas, Liam, Sarah, ainsi que par sa petite nièce Abby et son petit neveu Dilan.
Il était un athlète incroyable, inculqué à un jeune âge, alors qu’il jouait au hockey et au baseball à Laval et plus tard comme athlète (football) à l’école secondaire Loyola. C’est à Loyola qu’en tant que quart-arrière vedette, Mike a gagné le surnom de « le bras ».
Il a obtenu un BSc (Loyola), un BEng (Carleton), un MEng et un MBA (McGill). Mike a exercé de nombreuses professions tout au long de sa vie, travaillant comme ingénieur et cadre pour Alcan et Lafarge, puis dirigeant ses propres entreprises au Québec, en Ohio et en Arizona. Il a passé les 12 dernières années comme professeur respecté et président du département de génie civil au Collège Dawson. Claire et lui étaient de fervents bénévoles pour de nombreuses organisations, notamment en travaillant au triage d’urgence de l’hôpital Mt Carmel dans l’Ohio et en soutenant la résidence de soins palliatifs Teresa Dellar (Claire jouant du piano et Mike aidant à laver les pots et à s’assurer qu’aucun reste de friandise ne soit gaspillé!)
Mike avait une soif insatiable de connaissances. Il passait souvent son temps libre à rechercher des sujets d’intérêt, à lire des livres ou à écrire. Grand fan de l’Ohio State, Mike ne laissait rien interrompre le temps qu’il passait avec ses Buckeyes bien-aimés, sauf si c’était pour recevoir une livraison de biscuits faits maison! Mike et Claire adoraient recevoir, et la porte était toujours ouverte à la famille, aux amis et aux voisins. Mike adorait ses chiens (Inca et Belle) et le vrai patron de la maison, Kitty.
Mike avait des valeurs très fortes et était très apprécié grâce à son énergie positive. Son héritage se perpétuera pour toujours, nous rappelant que nous contrôlons nos attitudes et que nous devons choisir de vivre une vie remplie d’actes d’amour et de service significatifs.
La visite aura lieu le samedi 28 janvier 2023, de 10h30 à 12h30, à Voluntas, 4695 St-Jean Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC H9H 2A7. Des funérailles auront lieu à 13h.
Fervent défenseur de l’accès aux soins palliatifs, au lieu de fleurs, nous apprécierions des dons en sa mémoire à la résidence de soins palliatifs Teresa Dellar.
« Lorsque nous ressentons de l’amour et de la gentillesse envers les autres, cela permet non seulement aux autres de se sentir aimés et pris en charge, mais cela nous aide également à développer le bonheur et la paix intérieurs. » Dalai Lama
Dr Kevin E Sinclair
January 16, 2023 at 4:15 pmRemember Mike well from Loyola High School. He was a great guy, honest,fun loving and loyal.
LOUISE LATRAVERSE1
January 23, 2023 at 12:50 pmJe me souviendrai toujours de Mike en tant qu’ami et mari de Claire. C’est mon mari Henri qui m’a présenté Claire en premier et tout la très belle famille Montillet et par la suite Henri et moi avons assisté à leur mariage et tout au long des années Mike fut un grand ami. C’était un vrai plaisir de discuter avec lui. Et il avait une très belle joie de vivre. Il restera toujours vivant dans nos coeurs.
Bill Kennedy
January 16, 2023 at 4:32 pmMike was a great player and will be missed by many from days gone by at at Paul (Ricky’s) LaRose’s band room.
Bob Brooks
January 24, 2023 at 5:08 pmBill, well said! Those were memorable years at Ricky’s during which we formed friendships that lasted a lifetime. Mike was always at the centre of things – bright, funny and engaging, and always willing to lend a hand to a friend in need. Those qualities in him never dimmed in the many years since! He will be greatly missed!
Lisa Sutherland
January 17, 2023 at 7:23 amI remember Mike as TC’s big brother, who she looked up to and who was always a large presence at any of their family functions, being the typical big brother, teasing us all and making us laugh. I am so saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. My prayers and condolences to Claire, Barb, Leonard and the whole family. I know TC was most probably waiting expectantly at the gates for his arrival and they are together once more.
Bernadette et Jean-Paul
January 21, 2023 at 6:05 amNous nous souviendrons toujours de Mike comme un homme chaleureux, disponible et dévoué. Nous n’oublierons jamais cette semaine merveilleuse passée chez Claire et Mike et aussi Béa qui nous ont reçus, soutenus et soignés, comme si nous faisions partie de leur famille.
Sylvie & Alain Veyssier
January 21, 2023 at 7:29 amJe ne connaissais pas vraiment Mike, tel que nous le décrit ma cousine Claire, nous n’aurons jamais plus l’occasion de nous connaitre mieux… mais une vie admirable et une carrière hors du commun, c’est ce que l’on retiendra de lui, ainsi que sa gentillesse que nous avons appréciée.
Steve Babb
January 21, 2023 at 8:03 amDawson College, the Civil Engineering Technology program, its faculty and students were all privileged to have accompanied Mike on his life’s journey.
We were only part of it for a few short years, but we quickly came to appreciate him as a very special human being. Invariably, we all succumbed to and benefitted from the constant gravitational pull of his positive energy and enthusiasm.
Thank you Mike, for being my colleague, mentor and good friend.
Lance
January 21, 2023 at 5:39 pmI remember Mike as a great teacher of mine while studying at Dawson College. I am grateful for having him as a teacher, he was great and caring of the students. He helped me during my internship. May you rest in Peace ️
Mireille Zalatan
January 22, 2023 at 10:10 amA Claire
De tout cœur Claire toutes mes sympathies pour le décès de Mike ,je garderais le souvenir d’un homme souriant et gentil.
jean Nagy
January 23, 2023 at 9:14 amI enjoyed his positive attitude to everything. I looked forward to having classes with him here at Dawson. He gave me the respect that I deserved even though I’m just a lab tech. I will miss him
Carmelo Curiale
January 23, 2023 at 10:09 amClaire, my deepest sympathies to you and your family. He was a great colleague here at Dawson and will be missed by the staff and the students alike. RIP Mike
Stephen Hinton
January 23, 2023 at 4:57 pmThanks, Mike, for your leadership, example and good nature. Your time at Dawson has left a positive impact. My sympathies to the family.
Hussein Farhat
January 23, 2023 at 6:46 pmOur department has lost an outstanding chair and our students have lost a dedicated professor. Mike was my office colleague. Words cannot express my sadness.
Veronica West
January 24, 2023 at 1:05 pmMike will always remain my big brother in my heart. I am ever so grateful to have spent time with him recently when he stayed at our home. Many such happy memories. How true it is Love never dies. May his journey be an ever lasting peace.
Anna Sihite
January 24, 2023 at 3:21 pmI have lost my good teacher, colleague at work, Dawson College. Very helpful and fair. RIP Mike a.k.a Mr. Dellar, I will never forget what you have taught me.
Phil & Donna Brown
January 26, 2023 at 10:45 amCouldn’t have asked for a better friend growing up in Montreal in the 60’s & 70’s. A truly beautiful person, a very rare human being. Forever in our hearts.
Alex Simonelis
January 27, 2023 at 7:00 pmMike always displayed an uprightness and common sense, and he took care of his Department.
May God bless Mike, his family and his friends!
Katia Montillet Lilley
January 28, 2023 at 11:11 amJe voulais parler de mon beau- frère Mike , un être remarquable plein d humour et de joie de vivre, un jour il m a dit : toi et moi on est très similaires, nous étions assis à regarder un film en sirotant un verre de vino, tranquilles et heureux. Tu resteras toujours dans mon cœur et mes pensées Mike et encore plus quand je trinquerai à l amitié éternelle ce qui sera assez souvent. Tu vas me manquer. J aurais aimé être avec toi Claire et vous tous pour partager notre douleur et nôtre chock de t avoir perdu. Je suis là avec vous de tout mon cœur et mes pensées.
Jennifer B. Coutou Dellar
January 28, 2023 at 12:49 pmIn loving memory, over twenty years of his life, I have observed him eager to share the graces and the love he had been blessed with, in all places and with all peoples.
He didn’t just raise and adopt me, he raised and cared for a whole community, applying the same principles with every man, woman and child as he had with his own bloodline and often stood proudly in each one’s defense.
In short, Mike also embodied the quote of Grace Lee Boggs : «Building community is to the collective as spiritual practice is to the individual.».
I light a candle for his strength of spirit to glow forever bright in each and everyone of us. I followed in your footsteps, Mike. More than you will ever know.
Katia
January 28, 2023 at 1:33 pmI loved being part of the memorial from far away ( France) and thank you to all who organize the possibility to be part of it. As a closure I needed so badly. Thank you all I love you and Mike you are in my heart for ever . Love you .
Sylvie Lessard
January 28, 2023 at 2:30 pmMes plus sincères condoléances Claire ainsi qu’à toute la famille. XXX En coeur et en pensées avec vous. Je garde de précieux souvenirs de Mike ! Une personne extraordinaire.
Paul Ungureanu
February 6, 2023 at 10:44 pmMike is the reason I got through CEGEP and finished my civil tech program, he encouraged me to persevere through trying times and made sure I had the tools for success. His wit, positive energy and lesdership are surely going to be missed. My deepest sympathies to his wife, family and loved ones.
Maryam
February 7, 2023 at 11:41 amI second that Paul… Rip Mike Dellar!