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Chatting up his community

If you show up at Montfort’s main entrance on a Thursday morning, you risk being warmly greeted by Roger Matte—a man from St-Tite, Québec, who’s good humour is contagious and who has long devoted his energy to the service of others.

Graduated from the Université de Sherbrooke with a Master’s in Commerce, Roger has been a member of the Société des conseillers en relations industrielles, now known as the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés.

He began his career at Hydro Québec, which recruited him for the job analysis of positions under its various unions. For the next 22 years, he worked in project management, operations management, strategic planning and human resources in the Canadian federal government. With his expertise, he then joined the International Labour Office—a UN-led organization—for five years, where he carried out a mission in the Congo, Libya and Ethiopia. These missions focused on the investigation and analysis of job evaluations and compensation programs.

Over the course of his life, Roger has also volunteered with many organizations. For the past 10 years, he has devoted part of his time and energy to Montfort. “I have been volunteering for over 35 years. Giving back to my community is very important to me,” says Roger. “After my retirement, I decided to give up paperwork to do more chatting! »

Faithful to his decision and his need to forge relationships with others, Roger welcomes, directs and sometimes accompanies the patients and families who visit Montfort.

But giving back to his community means even more than offering some of his time and talent. For Roger, who lives all facets of philanthropy, it also means offering some of his treasure. That’s why he is a long-time donor at the Montfort Foundation. “What motivated me to start giving to Montfort is the S.O.S. Montfort campaign. I didn’t want to see my hospital close its doors. »

In addition to having pursued a rewarding professional and volunteer career, Roger also had a 56-year love affair with his wife Lise. He has three sons—who have followed in his footsteps by becoming public servants—and several grandchildren.

We are pleased to count this World Citizen—a title awarded to him by the Canadian Committee for the 50th anniversary of the United Nations in 1995—as a member of the Montfort family!

Roger, thank you for being such a passionate and generous man. It warms our hearts to know that everyone who walks through the doors of our hospital is in such good hands.