Community mourns passing of Waltham Mayor Garry Marchand

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Peter L. Smith

WALTHAM – After a lengthy battle with cancer, Waltham Mayor Garry Marchand (photo), 68, passed away August 28. Municipal flags were flown at half mast in Marchand’s memory and
a funeral was held September 3 in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Waltham.


Peter L. Smith

WALTHAM – After a lengthy battle with cancer, Waltham Mayor Garry Marchand (photo), 68, passed away August 28. Municipal flags were flown at half mast in Marchand’s memory and
a funeral was held September 3 in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Waltham.
Garry and his wife Suzanne were married for 49 years and had a daughter and son (predeceased). Marchand was first elected to the municipal council in November 2009 and was re-elected uncontested
for a second term in November 2013.
Fernand Roy, Waltham Director General, spoke of his association with Mayor Marchand: “His motto was always to make everyone happy. He was not afraid to confront any situation he felt was wrong and was always concerned about whether the citizens of Waltham were getting the council support they wanted.”   
Peter Gauthier, a
councillor who served with Marchand, remembers him as a man who was dedicated to his municipality and who always kept councillors informed on issues. “Garry and I played fastball together in the mid 1970s and early 1980s. He was our team pitcher, and like he did with his municipal duties, he always put tremendous effort into the game.”
Les Carroll, owner of Aventure Totale in Waltham, remembers Marchand as a man who was always very positive, a real fighter, and someone who did a lot for his community.
In the past, Marchand worked for OC Transport in Pembroke and also in the mining industry in Sudbury, Ontario.