When all of us here at Campus Montréal learned of the death of Jean-Denis Duquette, secretary-general of HEC Montréal from 1971 to 1995 and a great ambassador for the School, we asked one of his best friends and a proud representative of the HEC community, René Miglierina, to write a tribute to him. Holding a Bachelor of Commerce degree and having pursued a successful career as vice-president of the Canadian Petroleum Products Institute, Mr. Miglierina found the words to eloquently describe the strong ties Mr. Duquette had forged with his colleagues and friends, with whom he shared a deep commitment to his alma mater.

A special colleague

Jean-Denis Duquette, my buddy Denis, graduated in 1956, while I graduated in 1955. Even though the years didn’t really mix much back then, I quickly got the distinct impression that this young man had a great future ahead of him. Denis’s friendly personality, affability, and great empathy for others in his class made it clear that he was destined for a brilliant career.

I did not see Denis again until 1971, when he became secretary-general of HEC Montréal in his mid-thirties, a relatively young age for this position. He rapidly distinguished himself in this role. Extremely popular, he always had a smile and a kind word for anyone he spoke to. Throughout the years, I only had to mention that I was an HEC graduate for the person to bring up Jean-Denis Duquette’s name. Sometimes I would jokingly call him “Mr. HEC”.

Because my volunteer work at our alma mater involved planning class reunions at five-year intervals and many fundraising campaigns, Denis and I frequently saw each other, even after he relinquished his position as secretary-general in 1995. He was always interested in and aware of of my volunteer activities. As HEC students, my daughter Sylvie and my son Ronald thought very highly of him as well.

My dear Denis, you made a profound difference to HEC Montréal. Keeping your memory alive will inspire us to follow the shining example you have set. We miss you already, cher ami.

To Denis’s wife, Denise Aubry, their children Anne, Pascal and Isabelle, and their grandchildren, I convey a message of comfort on behalf of the class of ’55.

René Miglierina

On behalf of Campus Montréal, I would like to add my voice to that of Mr. Miglierina’s to highlight the exceptional role Jean-Denis Duquette played as a building-force of HEC Montréal. Proud of the achievements of successive generations of professors and students, he established a number of scholarship programs. To honour him, we are pleased to announce the creation of the Fonds Jean-Denis Duquette to enable HEC Montréal students to study abroad for one semester. With this fund, Jean-Denis Duquette’s committed involvement will be perpetuated through philanthropy. What a marvellous way to celebrate the life of a person who contributed so much to HEC Montréal and to society as a whole!

John Parisella