Good friend of CMG and former Canadian Thunder racer Philippe Durand lost his life on Friday evening, February 19, when his snowmobile went through the ice on Lac des Deux Montagnes, just north of Montreal.
Philippe, or Frenchie as we knew him, and his wife and two sons aged 11 and 14, were on their way to the family’s cottage.
Philippe and his wife were on one snowmobile when it broke through the ice. The two children, who were on another snowmobile, then pulled both parents out of the water and in an attempt to ride to safety also broke through the ice.
It was through a superhuman effort that Frenchie helped his 11 year-old, who was the only person left on top of the ice, pull his older son and wife out of the water, however, he slipped under the surface and was not seen again.
Philippe, 44, was co-owner of Euro Moto, a multiline dealer specialising in European motorcycles and scooters located in Laval, Quebec.
We offer our condolences to his family and friends; he will be missed.
Information about memorial services will be posted at euromoto.ca.
Phillipe est un heros …quelle abnegation !…
” Giving is the quality that guarentees all the others ”
Requiem in pace Philippe…
Here are a collection of pics with Frenchy in them, mostly from 2002. I’ll scan the paper ones I have from that era later.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=150784&id=782348111&l=25581ad51c
When I was looking through the archives to find a picture from the 2002 Canadian Thunder series that we covered, I was impressed as to how many shots there were of Philippe on a podium.
I also remember back then he spoke very little English and I even less French and we’d communicate via smiles, odd sign language and the help of either JP or Costa. Last time I met him he was pretty damn good at the English. Sadly, the same could not be said about my French …
I’ll miss him but I cannot imagine what his family must be going through now.
What J-P said. That’s horrible news.
We are terribly sorry and shocked by this news.
Rest in peace, Phillippe. You will be missed.
It is always sad, condolences to his family.
Now there’s no denying the rule, “If you don’t know, don’t go!” Emphasis on the KNOW.
VERY SAID TO HEAR,RIP PHILIPPE DURAND.
One of my best memories of my time with Canadian Thunder is Frenchie and I duking it out on Mosport. He will be missed.
We have lost one of the truley good guys and family men.
Robert Trottier & Joanne Graham
This is very sad news. There are no words.
He was one unique character. And a passionate motorcylist like few others.
My thoughts go to his family, friends and colleagues.
He will be missed.
JP