By Fred Langan

Gilles Decelles, who served two terms as mayor of the Town of Brome Lake, has passed away at the age of 78. A long-time resident of Fulford, Mr. Decelles leaves behind a remarkable legacy of civic leadership, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

Perhaps his most enduring contribution as mayor was securing the abandoned Canadian Pacific Railway right of way for public use—what would eventually become the cherished walking path that runs through the town.

“During the 1991 election, Gilles organized a referendum asking residents whether they wanted to keep the old CPR rail bed as public property,” recalled Michael Caluori, who served as a councillor during Decelles’s first term. “The citizens responded with a 90 percent ‘yes.’ That vote ended any move by the town to hand over the rail bed to private interests. Without that decisive action, the path we enjoy today would not have been possible.”

In addition to this legacy, Mr. Decelles implemented important environmental regulations affecting Brome Lake and its tributaries—including boating speed limits—and was instrumental in securing the bridge connecting the two schools. He also launched Imaginaction, a planning initiative to envision the future of the town, and was a driving force behind Brome-Missisquoi’s first municipal recycling program.

Mr. Decelles first entered public service as a councillor from 1980 to 1987. He then ran for mayor, successfully challenging long-time incumbent Homer Blackwood in 1987 with a reform-minded team and a clear mandate for change.

“Gilles was the first individual to challenge Homer and succeed,” said Caluori. “He brought a completely new slate to council and reshaped the way the town operated.”

Though he lost a subsequent election to Blackwood, Decelles made a comeback nearly two decades later, returning as mayor from 2009 to 2013.

“He was the youngest person ever elected to the position of mayor when he first took office in 1987,” noted the Town of Brome Lake.

Outside politics, Gilles Decelles was a successful businessman and a well-known member of the local community. He was an avid golfer and helped organize the popular Tuesday Twilight League at the Knowlton Golf Club. He played competitive hockey until last year and was also a passionate tennis player.

He is survived by his wife, Lucie Robitaille; his children, Lisa Marie (Louis Boulerice), Frédérique (Félix Arpin), Maxime Poirier (Stéphanie Perrault), and Sophie Poirier; and grandchildren Alexa St-Pierre, Élizabeth St-Pierre, Charlie Boulerice, Raphaëlle Poirier, and Émile Poirier. He was predeceased by his son, Alexandre.