Montreal-born historian, political commentator Graeme Decarie dies at 89

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Famend historian, college professor and commentator Graeme Decarie has died. He was 89.

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Decarie died Sunday in Kingston, Ont., in accordance with an obituary that was posted on-line. A reason behind demise was not disclosed.

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Born Aug. 27, 1933 “into fairly extreme poverty” in Montreal’s Villeray neighbourhood, Malcolm Graeme Decarie dropped out of highschool after failing Grade 10, in accordance with a biography he wrote whereas educating at Malcolm Campbell Excessive College.

Having begun working as a clerk for Bell Canada, Decarie was accepted as a mature scholar into night courses at Sir George Williams College, the predecessor to Concordia College, the place he obtained his bachelor’s diploma. He then spent six years educating Grades 7 to 11 earlier than going again to high school to do a grasp’s diploma at Acadia College in Nova Scotia and a PhD in historical past at Queen’s College.

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Upon commencement, Decarie taught for 3 years on the College of Prince Edward Island. He then returned to Montreal, the place he went on to spend greater than three many years as a professor and later chair of Concordia’s historical past division.

Decarie commonly appeared as a commentator for the CBC and CJAD radio. He served as historic adviser for a 1993 Nationwide Movie Board of Canada movie referred to as The Rise and Fall of English Montreal, and wrote for publications together with the Montreal Gazette and Reader’s Digest.

Over time, Decarie was additionally energetic within the New Democratic Social gathering, Alliance Quebec, the 78th Fraser Highlanders Regiment and the Sherlock Holmes society referred to as the Bimetallic Query. Crusing, household historical past and travelling have been amongst his favorite pastimes.

Decarie had 5 kids and 4 grandchildren.

A service to recollect Decarie can be held Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m. on the Mount Royal United Church, 1800 Graham Blvd. in City of Mount Royal, and through Zoom. Memorial donations to the YMCA may be made at ymcaquebec.org.

ftomesco@postmedia.com