Roger Comtois (1921-2013)

Professor at the Faculty (1948-1984)
President of Chambre des notaires du Québec (1966-1969)
Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (1970)
Dean of the Faculty (1976-1980)
Doctorate honoris causa from the University of Ottawa (1979)
Officer of the Order of Canada (1982)
Emeritus professor at the Université de Montréal (1984)
Director of Revue du notariat (1956-1998)
Honorary notary public (2005)
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Recipient (2012)

A trailblazer, Mr. Comtois is considered to be the father of major contemporary legal institutions such as the regime of partnership of acquests. Amid the Quiet Revolution, one had to be a visionary to contemplate a conciliation between the values of autonomy and equitable sharing within the context of marriage.

A born professor, Roger Comtois loved to teach. When asked about his proudest accomplishment, his spontaneous response was: “My students!” He was truly devoted to his students and his good humour was contagious. As Dean, Mr. Comtois was both a pacifying and unifying presence in the Faculty thanks to his diplomatic skills.