Rubrique nécrologique

STANLEY FERGUSON

Well known international Hotelier and mentor to many, Stanley Ferguson passed August 12, 2011 at the age of ninety-two in St. Sauveur, QC.

Dear father of Linda (William Riley), Ian (Regina Vorce) and Sheila (John Walker); grandfather to Jay, Chelsey, Kent, Holly, Isabelle, and Blake; uncle to many nieces and one nephew.
-Past President of the Laurentian Resorts Assoc.
-V.P. and General Manager of Mont Tremblant Lodge
Manager of the King Edward Hotel, Toronto, ON
-V.P. and General Manager of the Alpine Inn, Ste. Adèle, QC
-General Manager, General Brock Hotel and Fox Head Inn Hotel, Niagara Falls, ON
-General Manager of the Mount Royal Hotel
-General Manager of the Chateau Montebello, Chateau Frontenac, and Chateau Champlain QC
-Past President of the Montreal Hotel Assoc.
-Past President of the Provincial Hotel Assoc. of Quebec
-Past President of the International Hotel Assoc.
-Regional V.P. for Canadian Pacific Hotels & Resorts

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 19 at JH Vanier @ Fils at 36 St- Bruno, Ste Agathe, 819-326-3322 on Friday, August 19 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, August 20 from 11:00 a.m. The Service will be held at the Holy Trinity Church, 12 Prefontaine West, Ste Agathe des Monts at 2 p.m. on August 20, 2011. Burial will follow at the Clark Memorial Cemetery, Ste Agathe des Monts, QC.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Montreal Institute for the Blind, 7000 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R3.

Published in Remembering from Aug. 17 to Aug. 18, 2011.





Memories & Condolences

December 24, 2011
Dear Sheila, John and family,
It is with a heavy heart that I send you this belated condolence message. I have kept in contact with Stan over the years - keeping him updated with my life in Vermont. I called today for our annual Christmas chat, and was shocked to hear of his passing in August. Had I known, I would have cherished the opportunity to pay my respects to this very special man. I will plan to visit his site on my next trip north. My best to you all - and a fond farewell to your amazing Dad. Bronwyn H. Ferguson
Bronwyn Ferguson

November 22, 2011
It was with great sadness that I saw today that Stan had passed in August. I had a premonition and decided to look at the Mtl Gazette obits as my tel number for him was not working. We had talked together last year and I promised him I would visit when I returned to Canada from China. Your Dad was like a father to me in my formative years at Tremblant. He taught me all about responsibility, productivity, and most importantly a sound work ethic that lasted me throughout my entire 43 year working career in the ski industry. I am so sad that I did not get to see him one last time. Please accept my sincere condolances
Tony Osborne

August 25, 2011
Mr. Ferguson was a mentor to me over the course of my years growing up and working at Tremblant. At the time, he was a formidable figure who played an important part in teaching me about integrity and work ethic. I have only fond memories of (Stan). Mr. Ferguson, and am very sad to hear of his passing.
Greig Derry

August 24, 2011
Dear Linda & Sheila,
So sorry to hear of the lost of your father. He was always very nice to us and will be remember very fondly.
I send you both Best Wishes
Beverlie (Hilzinger) MacDuff

August 21, 2011
Please accept our condolences. Stan's gentle generosity touched us in our own hour of need, and he has since occupied a special place in our hearts.
The Vidricaires

August 20, 2011
Dear Linda,Bill and Jay,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Everyone handles grief in their own way and we support you in your personal choices. Find strength in knowing that you are all wonderful, caring and loving people.
Bruce & Doreen

August 20, 2011
Dear Sheila and the whole family
Your father is a legend in his time and will be greatly missed. A walking encyclopedia of local history, he defined reliability. Right to my last visit with him, he had a way of both being exigant and instilling confidence. I remember once when I said to him "Hang on, I'll remember in a minute" he congratulated me for that spirit, suggesting I should never assume that I can't (remember) but just accept that I will be able to.
He was always willing to meet new people and to share with them, and his example of making sure he would look his best and be properly prepared for whatever event was also an inspiration.
Even his blindness did not let him lose sight of his blessings. I remember once when he was looking for a house, he said to me that one particular house had lost its view of the lake because a new building blocked it "but that doesn't matter to me, because I can't see it anyway."
I am sorry that we are so far away in England and will not be able to celebrate the life of this great Laurentian soul with you, but my thoughts and memories of him will remain a treasure.
Our sincere condolences, -Joe Graham and Sheila Eskenazi
Joseph Graham

August 19, 2011
Dear Linda, Sheila and Joe
We were very sad to hear of the passing of your father and a big influence early in my life and remained so well into later life. I remember staying at your house in Ste-Adele and marvelling at the many ski trophies won. Stan always had encouraging words for all of the young Minogue family budding ski racers. One of the biggest thrills was when he introduced me to Jackrabbit Johnansen when he was 102 years old and about to start the Ski Marathon. Stan stood very tall among people in very influential positions right up to Prime Minister yet always had plenty of time to be kind to young people just starting out in life. Apologies for this lengthy note (I could write many paragraphs on Stan) but I know that he left an indelible mark on all of us.
Deepest condolences from Danny, Debra, Barbara, Suzanne and of course Frances Minogue!

August 19, 2011
I am saddened to learn of Stan's passing. I was just at Le Chateau Montebello, and was talking about him with some of the current staff. As a student at Presentation High School Montebello, 1977-79, Stan opened the doors of the hotel to us to learn more about the hotel industry as a potential career, and let our school use many of the Chateau's facilities for our sports program (we, in turn, let CP Hotels use our gym for their in-house basketball league!)...he represented his hotel and his industry with class and distinction. My condolences to his family.
Stephen Pickford

August 19, 2011
My condolences to the family. My late father spoke very highly of Mr. Ferguson. I am sure that he will be sadly missed.
Colin Gravenor, Westmount, Quebec

August 19, 2011
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
August 18, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so sorry for your loss.
Renee & Dillon Fustos

August 18, 2011
I send my condolences to Linda, Bill, Jay and family for the passing of your father,father-in-law and grandfather, my prayers are with you at this time.
Cindy Stapper

August 17, 2011
both maurine and i lost a great friend and a neighbor he will be missed regards to all his family
Marc Cloutier

August 17, 2011
I am saddened to learn of the passing of a great hotelier, gentleman and friend from my youthful days in the Laurentians. My condolences to Stan's family.
Don McGowan

August 17, 2011
Dear Linda and Sheila,
My prayers are with you at the passing of your Dad. Our Dad passed away a month ago. I wish you both well.
Sincerely,
Louis Cochand

Biographie

Stanley Ferguson est né à Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, en 1919. Il est le fils de Janet Powell et William Stanley Ferguson, ancien combattant de la Première Guerre mondiale.

En début de carrière, il occupe divers emplois dans le secteur hôtelier des Laurentides, puis devient gérant du Mont-Tremblant Lodge, établi sur le massif du mont Tremblant. Développé par l'Américain Joseph Bondurant Ryan, cet établissement d'hébergement est la première station de ski d'envergure à être exploitée au Québec. Dès son ouverture, le 12 février 1939, on procède à l'inauguration d'un premier télésiège et de ses huit pistes, qui rendent la montagne accessible aux skieurs. À l'arrivée de Ferguson en 1942, le Mont-Tremblant Lodge compte déjà parmi les endroits les plus prestigieux de la région et attire célébrités et gens de partout au monde.

En 1944, il quitte le Québec et devient directeur résident du luxueux King Edward Hotel, situé dans le centre-ville de Toronto, alors propriété de la chaîne hôtelière canadienne Cardy Hotels Corporation. En 1947, il est muté à Sainte-Marguerite-Station de Sainte-Adèle, où il occupe jusqu'en 1950 le poste de directeur général au grand hôtel Alpine Inn. La chaîne hôtelière américaine Sheraton le nomme ensuite directeur des ventes pour ses hôtels canadiens et, après avoir mis en place et organisé ce nouveau service, il déménage brièvement à Niagara Falls, où il est directeur général du General Brock Hotel.

En 1950, sa soeur Edith Victoria épouse Vernon Grandison Cardy, magnat de l'hôtellerie canadienne. Cardy annonce un an plus tard la nomination de Stanley Ferguson à la direction de ses propriétés laurentiennes, soit le Sainte-Adèle Lodge, l'Alpine Inn et le terrain de golf de Sainte-Marguerite-Station. En 1965, Mary Ryan, la veuve de Joseph Bondurant Ryan, propose à l'homme d'affaires André Charron d'acheter le Mont-Tremblant Lodge. Regroupé en société avec Jean-Louis Lévesque et Roger Beauchemin, il se porte acquéreur de l'établissement, renommé Station Mont Tremblant. La direction et la vice-présidence du domaine skiable sont dès lors confiées à Ferguson, qui retrouve la station après plus de vingt ans. L'hôtelier chevronné aide à redresser la situation financière de l'entreprise, qui accueille une clientèle de plus en plus nombreuse, fidèle et exigeante.

En 1976, il est nommé directeur général de l'Hôtel Sheraton Mont-Royal à Montréal, et poursuit ensuite ses activités à titre de vice-président régional de la chaîne d'hôtels du Canadien Pacifique, alors détentrice du Château Frontenac et du Château Montebello.

Chef de file de l'industrie hôtelière canadienne, Stanley Ferguson s'implique tout au long de sa carrière dans plusieurs domaines. Il compte entre autres parmi les instigateurs d'une entreprise incorporée sous le nom de Laurentian Winter Roads Association, puis au nombre des anciens présidents de la Laurentian Resort Association, du Montreal Hotel Association, de l'Association des hôteliers de la province de Québec et de l'Association des hôtels du Canada. Il est également membre de l'Association internationale de l'hôtellerie et directeur de l'Office des congrès et du tourisme du Grand Montréal. En 2007, il est introduit au Temple de la renommée du Musée du ski des Laurentides, qui souligne sa contribution au développement du ski et à la reconnaissance de ce sport sur la scène internationale.
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Musée McCord