Réjean Thomas and Gabriel Robillard Obituary|Montreal Mourns Skating Icons Réjean Thomas and Gabriel Robillard
The Montreal sports community is shrouded in grief following a devastating accident that claimed the lives of two beloved figures in the city’s skating world, Dr. Réjean Thomas and Gabriel Robillard. The incident, which occurred during a recreational skate, has sent shockwaves through Quebec, leaving friends, family, and admirers heartbroken.
Dr. Réjean Thomas, was far more than a skating enthusiast. He was a pioneering physician and founder of the Clinique médicale l’Actuel, a towering and compassionate figure in Quebec’s public health landscape, particularly in HIV/AIDS care. His advocacy and humanity saved countless lives, making him a revered community pillar. Gabriel Robillard, , represented the vibrant spirit of Montreal’s artistic scene. A talented visual artist and muralist, his work adorned the city’s streets, injecting colour and narrative into urban life. Both men shared a profound love for the simple joy of gliding across the ice, a passion that tragically united their final moments.
While specific details of the accident remain under investigation, its impact is unequivocal. The loss is not dual but manifold, reverberating through the medical, artistic, and athletic circles they so richly contributed to. Obituaries remember Thomas not just for his medical legacy, but for his warmth and dedication, and Robillard for his creative vision and infectious energy.
Their passing leaves a profound void. Montreal remembers them not for how they died, but for how they lived: one healing bodies and minds, the other beautifying the cityscape, both finding solace and joy in the iconic Montreal winter pastime of skating.
