John Abbott teacher killed in car crash

John Abbott College staff and students are mourning the death of humanities teacher Sylvain Duguay who was killed Sunday in a car crash in the Laurentians. He was 41.

“He was a ray of sunshine,” Violaine Arès said, her voice cracking.

As the chair of the humanities, philosophy and religion department, Arès worked closely with Duguay. “The students loved him and for the faculty, he was the type of person who brought people together,” she said.

Students posted their condolences on the RateMyTeacher website, describing him as “the best teacher I ever had” and “the most amazing person.”

“Students are crying in the halls,” media arts chair Tracey McKee said. “He was a true friend. I’ve never met a teacher who was more loved than Sylvain. He was exceptional.”

Duguay began teaching philosophy courses at CEGEP in SteAnne-de-Bellevue in 2010.

He shared his life with internationally-acclaimed multi-disciplinary artist Victor Pilon.

According to Presse Canadienne, the crash happened Sunday morning on Highway 50, near Grenvillesur-la-Rouge. There were icy road conditions at the time. Two cars collided. A man and woman in the other car did not sustain serious injuries.

Visitation takes place at 4231 Blvd. St-Laurent, Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The commemoration ceremony begins at 4 p.m.