On the passing of Daniel Gingras
Statement from Place des Arts du Grand Sudbury
on the passing of Daniel Gingras
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sudbury, May 12, 2025 – Place des Arts du Grand Sudbury is saddened by the news of the sudden passing of a long-time friend, Daniel Gingras, who co-chaired, with Stéphan C. Plante, the major fundraising campaign for the construction of PdA in 2018.
“On behalf of Place des Arts, I offer my deepest condolences to Daniel’s family, friends and loved ones,” said René Lapierre, Chair, Place des Arts. “He played a fundamental role in the creation of Place des Arts in downtown Sudbury. He brilliantly co-directed a campaign to raise the $30 million needed to build our unifying building. Our memories are still vivid. He left his mark and we will be eternally grateful to him.”
Daniel had worked in philanthropy for some twenty years. He has supported many key community projects in Northern Ontario, including the advent of the Northeastern Ontario regional hospital, Health Sciences North, located in Greater Sudbury. In addition to his association with Place des Arts, he has led fundraising campaigns for organizations such as Collège Boréal and Maison McCulloch Hospice.
“It was with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Daniel Gingras, an exceptional builder and a great community builder,” said Mr. Plante, Vice-President, Member Experience and Market Leader – Individuals at Desjardins Ontario. “I had the honour of co-chairing the fundraising campaign for Place des Arts in Greater Sudbury with him. Daniel was a bold man who gave generously of his time and was always ready to move important issues forward for our community. His absence leaves a huge void, but his legacy and invaluable contributions will remain engraved in our hearts and memories. My thoughts are with Hélène, Sophie, Marie-Soleil and their families.”
A tireless adventurer, a seasoned sportsman, down-to-earth, determined, a dreamer, a builder, principled and straightforward, and above all a great motivator, Daniel agreed to take part in the PdA project “because of the seriousness of the initiative and its formidable, well-tested team.” He firmly believed in the capacity of the French-speaking world to defend its ideas, lead its initiatives and found its institutions.
In fact, as the recipient of the Prix de la francophonie from ACFO grand Sudbury in 2017, Daniel shared his philosophy that “when Francophones lead, good things happen.”
“Not only do we need people capable of influencing the success of certain initiatives, we also need a community that is committed to ensuring that important projects are carried out,” he said.
Merci, Daniel.
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Since its official opening in April 2022, Greater Sudbury’s Place des Arts has been a hotbed of artistic and cultural excellence and a rallying point for Francophones and the entire community.
Information
Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé
Communications
Place des Arts of Greater Sudbury
(e) isabellebt@maplacedesarts.ca
