In Memory of Louis Langlois

CUPW has lost a wonderful, smart, and passionate leader. Brother Louis Langlois, the National Director for the Metro‑Montreal Region, passed away on January 26, 2010.  He will be missed.

Brother Langlois had a great sense of humour.  He worked with integrity to bring all CUPW members together.  He strived to bridge differences and have CUPW members focus on working together to fight for dignity and justice.  He worked hard to build solidarity.

Louis brought new ideas and an unwavering commitment to his position as a National Director.  He was strong, compassionate and dedicated.

Louis had a fascinating life before he joined Canada Post as a letter carrier.  As a young man, he was a member of the Coast Guard and he sailed around the world.  He was also a music lover and in his younger days worked for the CBS record company.

Louis became involved in the Montreal Local of CUPW in 1996.  He saw injustice in his depot and decided to stand up to protect his co-workers. In 1997, he became a shop steward in the St‑Dorothee postal station. He was also an observer for many letter carrier restructures in Montreal.  In 1999, Brother Langlois was elected 6^th Vice‑President of the Montreal Local.  He held this position to 2002.

In June 2002, Louis Langlois was elected to the Montreal Local Executive Committee as 2^nd Vice‑President.  He was responsible for representing letter carriers and dealing with group 2 issues.  He was also an active member of CUPW’s National Route Measurement Committee.

In April 2008, Brother Langlois was elected as National Director of the Metro‑Montreal Region.  In that capacity, he sat on the CUPW National Executive Board.

Louis Langlois was committed to working with the Labour movement.  He was a Vice-President of the Quebec Federation of Labour.  He worked tirelessly to provide homes for low income people.

Louis Langlois was respected by postal workers, the labour movement, and even representatives of Canada Post management.

He leaves his beloved wife, Danielle, and his two stepdaughters, Virginie and Venessa.

He liked to play his guitar, drink wine with friends, to travel and to learn about and experience different cultures.  He loved riding his motorcycle.

Louis leaves an important legacy for us all.  He showed us that vision, devotion, and a willingness to see the humour in all situations can make a difference.

His death leaves a hole in the collective heart of CUPW.  My condolences go to his family, friends, and co-workers.

Donations in Louis Langlois’ memory can be made to:

Foundation Maxime – Letendre
1515 Chomedey
Laval, Quebec  H7V 3Y7

 This is a foundation that provides assistance for people with cancer.  Their web site is www.maximeletendre.org.