1927 – 2004

MONTREAL – Robert L. Vachon, 76, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

He was born Aug. 14, 1927, in Lewiston, the son of Alfred and Alice Vachon. He was the valedictorian of the first graduating class of St. Dominic High School in 1945. He was a Bates College graduate in 1949, and received his masters from Boston College.

He was the founder of The Christie Group, co-founder of Direct Films Inc. and a professor at Boston College. He was co-founder of Mar-Vac Photo Service in Lewiston from 1947 to 1961. He was director of a number of companies, including Zurich Life Insurance Co. of Canada. From 1962 to 1963 he was president of St.-Michel Hospital in Montreal, Canada, director of the Ste.-Justine Hospital and Foundation, he was trustee of Roy Fund Income Trust and Equity Ltd in 1974, governor of the School of Business Administration, University of Sherbrooke in 1975, member of the Chemical Sector Consultative Committee, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Commerce, Ottawa, 1975 to 1977, director of the research fund of the cardiology institute of Montreal; chairman of the board of the Quebec Society of Petroleum Initiatives.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Marcelle Colpron; sons, Robert (Louise Daigneault), Dr. Michel (Helene Beland); daughter, Diane (Jean-Francois Gareau); grandchildren, Catherine, Emilie, Nicolas, Robert-Armand, Myriam, Melanie, Frederique and Sebastien; niece, Pauline Vachon Beale, O.D., of Lewiston; sister-in-law, Georgette Vachon Proulx of Old Orchard Beach; and nephew, Armand Vachon of Old Orchard Beach.

He was predeceased by a brother, Alfred L. Vachon, O.D.; and a sister, Marguerite Vachon.