November 11, 2022
Ovide Joseph Paquette
(1921-1945)
Born in North Bay, alumnus of the Collège du Sacré-Coeur (Université de Sudbury), member of the fusiliers Mont-Royal, R.C.I.C. and decorated with several military medals, the young Lieutenant Ovide Joseph Paquette, enrolled in the Canadian Forces during the World War II, would make the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his country and freedom.
This son of l’Ontario français dreamed of the post-war era. His military record spoke of a person who was lively, intelligent, energetic and had all the leadership qualities necessary to become an officer. A fan of debate and theatre, this Collège alumnus had the hope of dedicating his career to teaching the next generation.
Lieutenant Paquette died on the battlefield on February 26, 1945, during the liberation of the Netherlands from Nazi Germany and is now buried in the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.
On this Remembrance Day, the Université de Sudbury remembers the sacrifice of its veterans in both world wars and other armed conflicts. Today, as Canada remembers, “at the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”