Passing of Mr. Jacques Gatien
It is with deep sadness that we learned on Saturday, March 14th of the passing of Mr. Jacques Gatien, Founder & President of Atlantic Promotions Inc., following a long illness.
Mr. Gatien was inducted into the Canadian Hardware & Housewares
Industry Hall of Fame in 2017.
As noted by the company: “This is an immense loss for our organization. We have lost a true pillar of our company, an exceptional entrepreneur who profoundly shaped the history of Atlantic Promotions Inc. (Starfrit) and touched the lives of all those who had the privilege of working alongside him. He was also a great builder for Canada”.
Until the very end, Mr. Gatien remained engaged and present with his company and its teams. Just two weeks ago, he was still participating virtually in a meeting of the Board of Directors. This constant presence reflects his deep commitment to the company he founded and developed with passion.
His impact will remain for many years to come. The industry will remember an extraordinary entrepreneur with remarkable strength of character and resilience. His determination and vision allowed him to build, from the ground up, a strong and respected company—one that is recognized today for the quality of its team, the strength of its distribution network, and the lasting value of its brands.
Mr. Gatien was, above all, a visionary. Understanding the responsibility of ensuring the long-term sustainability of a company, he made sure to put the necessary foundations in place so that his organization, its leadership, and its mission could continue to evolve and prosper for years to come.
He leaves us with an exceptional legacy: a strong company, solid entrepreneurial values, and a lasting inspiration for all those who will continue his work.
Our thoughts are with his family, his loved ones, and all those who were touched by his journey and his vision.
Let us take a moment to remember the remarkable contribution of a man who dedicated his life to building something meaningful and lasting.