Passing of Denis Gratton, ardent defender of the Montfort cause

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We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Mr. Denis Gratton. He passed away at the age of 64, after a life spent bringing stories to light through his columns. 

An author and journalist with the daily newspaper Le Droit since the early ’90s, Denis wrote a weekly column for the paper for many years, in which he shed light on societal issues, particularly francophone causes. 

“He moved us and made us think,” said Dominic Giroux, President and CEO of Montfort. “By covering the announced closure of the hospital in 1997, Denis did everything he could to promote the cause of the SOS Montfort movement. We owe him a lot.”

Symbolically, Mr. Gratton passed away on December 7, the date on which, in 2001, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled unanimously in favour of the hospital: Montfort would remain open. 

“To quote the words he wrote in 2021, on the 20th anniversary of this date that marked the history of the Franco-Ontarian community: ‘December 7, 2001, is the day we won after five long years of fighting. The day when justice said to the Francos: you are right, your cause is righteous.’ Thank you, Denis, for your unfailingly eloquent words.”

We offer our most sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to all those who knew him. The flags of Montfort and the Aline-Chrétien Health Hub, as well as our Franco-Ontarian flags, are flown at half-mast from now until sunset on the day of Mr. Gratton's funeral.

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