1930 – 2000
Raymond Beaulieu devoted the majority of his 40-year career to La Brasserie Labatt Ltd., where he worked across sales, advertising, marketing, and public relations. He joined the company when Labatt held only 1% of the Canadian market share. Committed to expanding Labatt’s reach, he collaborated closely with Jacques Bouchard, a renowned Quebec advertising executive and childhood friend, to promote Labatt 50. They chose Olivier Guimond, a prominent comedian in Quebec, as their spokesperson, launching a campaign centered around the slogan “Lui, y connait ça,” which significantly increased Labatt’s market presence, resulting in a 20% rise. These efforts contributed to an era of remarkable advertising success.
Further campaigns such as “Est bonne comme deux” and “On est 6 millions, faut se parler” also achieved notable successes, earning multiple industry awards for excellence in advertising.
Throughout his career, Ray engaged with various distinguished individuals including politicians, actors, athletes, and community members. He is featured in professional photo albums alongside mayors Jean Drapeau and Jean Doré, celebrities Dominique Michel and Paul Berval, hockey legends Henri Richard, Maurice Richard, Yvan Cournoyer, and Formula 1 drivers Sterling Moss, Jackie Stewart, Gilles Villeneuve, Alan Jones, and countless others. His involvement with Labatt extended to sponsorships for numerous sporting events, such as the Expos, La Machine, and the Canadian Grand Prix.
At age 26, while working on a direct marketing campaign for Labatt’s in
Joliette, he met Lorraine Villeneuve. It was love at first sight! He knew he had found the woman he had been looking for and proposed to her on their second date! They married a year later. Together they raised two children, and he became a proud grandfather to two beautiful granddaughters.
Ray continued to lead an active life post-retirement, travelling internationally with Lorraine and frequently encountering acquaintances in the unlikeliest places. Following his passing in 2000 due to a stroke suffered a few years earlier, his family and friends mourned the loss of an individual who was a bon vivant with many stories to tell.
His sense of humour, wisdom, and insight remain deeply missed by his wife Lorraine, his children, and grandchildren. He will always be remembered:
Lui, y connaît ça!
Sharon was pre-deceased by her loving husband George Gauld (stepsons Andrew, Peter, Allan and Collin). Daughter of Frank (Mike) Johnson and Clara Cook, Sharon was born in Toronto on July 22, 1943, and grew up in Rosemere, Quebec. After marrying John Starkey in 1962, they spent time living in St. Sauveur and Chambly and settled in Beaconsfield where they raised their boys.
Sharon headed west to Vancouver in 1978 and settled in White Rock, where she lived until her final days. With modest means, she was determined to own a house, and purchased a small cottage on her own near Semiahmoo Beach in White Rock, with some cash and the balance on her credit card. This house was eventually renovated to accommodate all the boys. Once retired and all the boys having moved out, she and George became puppy parents to their two golden retrievers (Max and Hamish), whom they adored.
Sharon was a strong, smart and fearless woman. She was an office manager and worked for several years at Delcan, in Vancouver where she met her future husband George Gauld. After marrying, they started their own engineering consulting firm and enjoyed travelling together for both business and pleasure. Scotland was a favourite because of George’s family and heritage.
Sharon will be fondly remembered for her great sense of humour and love of music, especially the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. She loved her walks in nature, gardening and cooking. An old hippie, caring for humanity, politically aware with placard in hand protesting during the ‘60s, she often frequented Montreal’s Yellow Door Coffeehouse or popular poetry gatherings where she saw a young Leonard Cohen. She loved all things Montreal, from Sir Winston Churchill Pub to Montreal bagels and more, but was always very happy living on the west coast.
In 2007, Sharon was tickled pink to finally become a grandmother to her only grandchild Leah, whom she adored.
A loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and dear friend, she will be greatly missed.
Rest in peace Mum.
