It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Father Michel Lacroix on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Hull Hospital, following complications from pneumonia. Born in Ottawa on November 22, 1941, he was the son of the late Laurent Lacroix and the late Rolande Clairoux. He is survived by his sisters, Jocelyne and Denyse.
After completing his studies in philosophy at Collège Marie-Médiatrice in Hull and his theological formation at the Diocesan Major Seminary of Ottawa, Saint Paul Seminary in Ottawa, and the Centre de pastorale en milieu ouvrier in Montréal, he was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 1965, at Saint Benedict Church in Hull by Bishop Paul-Émile Charbonneau.
Throughout his ministry, Father Lacroix held a variety of pastoral and diocesan responsibilities. From July 1965 to August 1967, he served as associate pastor at Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Parish (Hull), secretary of the Diocesan Ecumenical Committee, and chaplain at Duhaut Secondary School. From 1967 to 1969, he was chaplain and coordinator of the pastoral team at Polyvalente de Hull. In 1969 and 1970, he ministered as chaplain at Immaculée-Conception Secondary School while also serving as diocesan representative to the National Council of Secondary School Chaplains and as diocesan chaplain of the Young Christian Workers movement. Following a pastoral internship at the Centre de pastorale en milieu ouvrier in Montréal in 1970–1971, he worked in community development in Île-de-Hull from 1971 to 1976. After a sabbatical year devoted to travel in Latin America, he served as a community organizer at CLSC Le Moulin from 1977 to 1980.
From 1980 to 1999, he served as regional animator for Development and Peace. He also assumed significant diocesan leadership roles, serving as Vicar General from 1986 to 1987, then as Apostolic Administrator from 1987 to 1988 following the death of Bishop Adolphe Proulx, before being appointed once again as Vicar General from 1988 to 1989. From 1971 to 1990, he also served as diocesan chaplain of the Christian Workers Movement. Following studies in African theologies and a period of service in Africa, he was associate pastor of the Pointe-Gatineau Pastoral Unit from 2000 to 2005, chaplain at the Pierre-Janet Hospital Centre, and Episcopal Vicar for the Central Sector from 2005 to 2010. Even after retiring from active ministry, he continued to offer generous pastoral assistance and to accompany various small Christian communities until 2021.
Father Lacroix dedicated his life to the service of others, guided by these words of Saint John, which were especially dear to him: “Whoever loves knows God, for God is Love.”
Last December, he was preparing the launch of the sixth volume of Parfums de voyage, a series in which he shared his reflections and travel memories.
Information regarding the funeral arrangements will be communicated as soon as it becomes available.
We entrust Father Michel Lacroix to the mercy of the Lord, in the peace and hope of the Resurrection, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all those whose lives were touched by his ministry.
*Translated with the help of AI