CORNWALL – A Cornwall man at the heart of revitalizing the city, plus a visionary for Le Village and the waterfront, has died.
Chuck Charlebois died Thursday (Feb. 22). He was 69.
The former city councillor was also the founder of the Renaissance Group, which worked on revitalizing the City of Cornwall, particularly in Le Village.
He was heavily involved in the community, laying out a vision to redevelop the former Domtar land and the city’s harbour through the proposed Cornwall Harbour Revitalization Project.
In September 2017, the city renamed a section of the recreational trail between Marlborough Street and St. Lawrence College as The Chuck Charlebois Recreational Trail, in recognition of his many contributions to the community.
During a ceremony at the Cotton Mill building on Cotton Mill Street in October 2017, former Mayor Bob Kilger said he couldn’t think of a more deserving person who had accomplished so much with a lot of humility.
Community members were already reacting to the news Thursday night.
“Chuck was such a force for positive change in our community. Whether it was development in Le Village, the waterfront or the Cotton Mills, Chuck’s fingerprints are all over the positive projects now underway or completed in Cornwall. He’ll be missed, and our sympathies go out to his family at this time,” said Todd Lihou, Downtown Business Improvement Area coordinator.
“I am so saddened to hear of the loss of a community champion…you were such a community builder and will always be remembered,” Coun. Maurice Dupelle wrote in a Facebook post.
Funeral arrangements are pending.