Guy Desjardins, mayor of Clarence-Rockland, dies at 71

Guy Desjardins, the mayor of Clarence-Rockland, Ont., has died.

According to a city press release, the mayor passed away on Saturday. He was 71, officials said, and hadbeen battling cancer.

Desjardins was elected as mayor in October 2014 and wasre-elected in October 2018. Prior to that, hehad served as a councillor.

At the June 21 municipal council meeting, Desjardinsrequested and was approved for a three-month leave of absence due to hishealth.

Deputy Mayor Michel Levert has been handlingDesjardins' duties as head of the eastern Ontario municipality.

'Man of character'

"He was an endearing person.He was a man of character," said Stphane Parisien, general manager of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

"We are losing a great man, a leaderand someone who didn'tmince his words but who always toldus the truth."

Jean-Marc Lalonde, former mayor and MPP,told Radio-Canada he remembered Desjardins as someone who was constantly smiling.

"He was a person really attached to his job as mayor,"Lalondesaid in a French-language interview.

In a French-language statement posted on Twitter, local MPP AmandaSimardexpressed her sympathies and thanked Desjardins for his dedicated service to hiscommunity.

For many, Desjardins' legacy is tied toplans to redevelopthe Roger-Sguin Visitor Centrein Clarence Creek.

"I know he worked very hard for that, and he will be successful," said Franois St-Amour, the mayor of neighbouring La Nation, Ont.

Desjardins is survived by his wife Aline, his daughter Tanya, andhis sons Christian and Jason.

Clarence-Rockland is approximately 40 kilometres east of Ottawa.