Obituary of Omer Poirier

Omer Joseph Poirier, P. Eng.

(1936 - 2023)

With sadness yet grateful for a life well lived, the Poirier family announces that Omer passed away peacefully, on his terms, with his sense of humour intact,

at the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at the age of 86.

Omer was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Clare (nee McNally) on May 3, 2022. Much loved and respected Dad of Dan (Shelley) and Michel, both of Ottawa and Marc (Julie) of Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Cherished Grandad of Paul, McKaila, David and Erin. Dear brother of Lina McEachern (Donald) of Lindsay, ON. Son of the late Isidore and Emela Poirier. Omer was also predeceased by his brother, Paul-Henri (Marilyn) as well as his sisters, Jacqueline Adamo (late Joseph) and Carmelle Fillion (Adrian). 

Born in Smooth Rock Falls, ON, as the youngest of five, Omer worked hard to achieve his dream of becoming an engineer, via the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). His pursuit of higher education took him to Sudbury (College du Sacré-Coeur- 1958), Saint-Jean, QC (College Militaire Royal-CMR-’59), Kingston ON (Royal Military College-RMC 1961), where he also achieved the rank of Flight Officer, and Montreal QC (University of Montreal Polytechnique-Mechanical Engineering 1961). Along the way he met the love of his love of his life, Clare, who was in Kingston attending Hotel Dieu Nursing college, marrying her in 1961.

After several postings throughout Canada, as a Flight Officer -Radio Navigator- in the RCAF, and having achieved the rank of Flight Lieutenant, and started a family with Clare, in 1965, Omer opted for honourable discharge and the relative stability of civilian life, in Arnprior, ON.

His civilian career started in Arnprior at Kenwood Mills as an Application Engineer in the Paper Industry.  During this time, he qualified for the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario (APEO in 1966). He joined the Public Service of Canada in the early 1970s-starting with the newly formed Metric Commission and retiring in 1990 from Department of Industry Trade and Commerce.

In his personal life, Omer was an astute card player, hockey coach, cub/scout leader, church choir member and usher, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and Town of Arnprior Hydro commissioner. He was an avid skier until his early 80s both as a permanent fixture at Calabogie Peaks, and as an enthusiastic participant in annual family ski trips throughout Canada and Europe. In retirement, Clare and Omer were avid travellers and enjoyed summers in PEI, as well as trips to Indonesia, Australia , New Zealand, Mexico, Portugal, and the UK.  

Omer will be remembered for his kindness, hospitality, and generous spirit. His love of life and willingness to help when asked are but a couple of the admirable traits that made him who he was. He and Clare were inseparable. They had a way of making people feel good. Always interested in what was happening in the lives of their family and friends. Genuine to a fault, they simply loved life. The family takes comfort knowing that they are together again.

Omer’s final arrangements have been entrusted to the

Pilon Family Funeral Home and Chapel Ltd., 50 John Street North, Arnprior

where visitation will take place on Thursday evening, July 6^th from7 to 9 p.m. and again on Friday morning, July 7^th from 9:30 to 10:20.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. John Chrysostom Church, Arnprior on Friday morning at 11 o’clock.

Interment Malloch Road Cemetery.

A reception will follow in the Pilon Family Reception Centre.

In memory of Omer, please consider a donation to the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation.

Members of the Knights of Columbus, Council 2082 will assemble at the funeral home for prayers on Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m.