“A great loss for Clarence-Rockland,” said Francis Drouin, Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MP. “Guy had the sense of duty. He knew how to accomplish work while always keeping his sense of humour. He always called me ‘the young one’. We laughed together and talked about politics and agriculture. My sincere condolences to his spouse, Aline, his children and close friends. He will be missed.”
“My most sincere sympathies to the Desjardins family,” said Amanda Simard, Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP. “My thoughts are with you today. Guy: thank you for your work, your contribution to public life, your service to your community. We will always remember and we will never forget you.”
“We lost a man who really had the municipality booming,” said Jean-Marc Lalonde, former MPP, former mayor of the Town of Rockland, and a city council member under Desjardins. “His door was always open for suggestions about the future of the community. He was always well-respected, he always had a smile and a good sense of humour. We are losing a great man.”
“Mayor Desjardins and I both came onto UCPR council at the same time,” said Pierre Leroux, Russell Township mayor. “One of my favourite memories was a boat ride we shared at the AMO convention in Niagara Falls. I never laughed so hard. While we didn’t always see eye-to-eye, Mayor Desjardins fought incredibly hard for what he believed in, and I always respected him for that. When Guy smiled, you couldn’t help but do the same. He will be missed.”
“It has been a great pleasure and privilege to work with him,” said Stéphane Sarrazin, Alfred-Plantagenet Township mayor and current warden for the United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR). “Over the past years we had the opportunity to work together on many important local issues, such as the widening of Highway 174 and the floods. His dedication, strong leadership, and vision are a demonstration of a true politician who has always worked hard for his constituents. Everybody has something to learn from a man like M. Desjardins. The Prescott-Russell region will forever be influenced by this remarkable politician. Our deepest condolences to his partner, Aline, his daughter, Tanya, his sons, Christian and Jason, as well as to his whole family.”
“I am so very sorry,” said Robert Kirby, East Hawkesbury Township mayor. “He and I and all the other mayors go along so very well. At social events, he was always there to enjoy things with the rest of us. There will always be something missing for quite some time.”
“He was a very well-liked person,” said Normand Riopel, Champlain Township mayor. “Very straightforward and a man of his word. If he said something, he meant it. He guided me very well in my own new functions as mayor. I will miss him very much.”
“It is with great sadness that I learn of the death of Mayor Guy Desjardins of Clarence-Rockland,” said Paula Assaly, mayor of Hawkesbury. “We had a great relationship at the United Counties of Prescott-Russell council. He had a talent for teasing each mayor and the DG, Stéphane Parisien. He used to refill my water glass at the council table and made sure it was always full. He did it with kindness. I will miss him and especially his sense of humour, his direct way of speaking and his authenticity.”
“When I was appointed in 2018 as mayor of the municipality of Casselman,” said Daniel Lafleur, “M. Desjardins was the first to call me to congratulate me and give me his support at all times. Guy liked to tease his colleagues in the United Counties. His contagious smile put a lot of spirit into our conventions and meetings. Guy often talked about his wife, Aline, whom he loved very much and told us stories about his chickens and ducks. He made us laugh and this will always remain a good memory. He was an important resource person for me and I appreciated his friendship. Hello, my friend, you will remain in my prayers.”
“Guy was a straight shooter,” said François St-Amour, The Nation mayor. “What he said, he meant. He was a great friend to The Nation Municipality. He was fun to be around, and he liked to joke. He was a good friend, and I’m going to miss him.”
