Lifetime Posthumous Award for Iconic Radio Morning Man:
Denis St. Jules Celebrated at Place des Arts in Greater Sudbury
GREATER SUDBURY – May 7, 2024 – More than 200 people gathered at Place des Arts on Saturday May 4th to honour Denis St. Jules. La Nuit sur l’étang awarded him the Prix du Nouvel-Ontario for more than 50 years of commitment and dedication to the Franco-Ontarian community.
The Prix du Nouvel-Ontario was created in 1983 to honour a lifetime of achievement in arts, culture, academia, and media. It is traditionally presented during La Nuit sur l’étang’s major annual concert in March. However, cancer felled Mr. St. Jules and he passed away in February.
A celebration of life was also held in Ottawa home to Mr. St Jules and his wife Carmen for the last 15 years to be close to their kids and grandkids, but he maintained his intimate connection to Sudbury trekking to his beloved Northern Ontario (in French: le Nouvel-Ontario) several times a year to support various organizations. As such, part of his last wishes was to have a gathering in Greater Sudbury. The Prix du Nouvel Ontario was presented to his wife, Carmen Vincent, and children Manon and Marc André. Grandkids, brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews were in attendance.
Mr. St. Jules was the Radio Canada morning man for nearly 30 years. He would accompany francophones in the morning as they woke up and headed off to work or school with charm, humour, and a reassuring voice. But his contribution was not limited to his iconic status at Radio Canada. He was a co founder of a publishing house, Prise de Parole, co-authoring its first book Lignes Signes in 1973. He played a key role in the launching of the Theatre du Nouvel Ontario and la Nuit sur l’étang. He spent a generation as member of the board of directors and member of the editorial board of Prise de Parole. The publishing company has had only two executive directors in its history, Gaston Tremblay (1978 -1988) and Denise Truax from 1988 to today. Both speak eloquently of Mr. St. Jules saying that he was a calming influence and quiet leader who ensured that deadlines were respected, and books were published.
The Saturday celebration encompassed poetry (by Denis), songs, remembrances, testimonials, laughs and tears.
He will be sadly missed yet will remain as a beacon of excellence and a gold standard of a life well lived in contributing to his community.
Special collaboration by Marcel Vaillancourt. For further information, you may reach him at vailstar@live.ca or 647-203-1744.
