DE MESTRAL, Robert

Robert de Mestral (September 10, 1946 – January 2, 2023)

The family of Robert are saddened to announce that he has passed away suddenly at the age of 76. After 50 years of marriage, he leaves behind his wife Lorayne (née Berry). He was a loving father to his daughter, Berry, and a wonderful grandfather to his grandson, Hector. Survived by siblings Armand (Rosalind), Charles (Marie-Josée), and Jacqueline and their families, including their children and grandchildren. Also survived by in-laws Michael (Cathie), Ian (Carol), David (Roseanne), and sister-in-law Denise Berry as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition, he will be sadly missed by close family friends David, Erik (Rebecca), and Mika Husband.

Born in Montreal, Robert moved to England with his family as a young boy. There he attended Whitgift School in Surrey with his brothers. Subsequently the family returned to Canada, taking up residence in Rouyn-Noranda, Québec where he graduated from high school before attending Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

While attending Queen’s, Robert developed a love for theatre, leading him to a long and distinguished career as a Technical Director and educator in the field. He started his career at York University, then to the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal and finally moved to the Theatre Department at the University of Ottawa where he remained for over 30 years. After his formal retirement, he remained actively involved in the theatre and stage community of Ottawa through IATSE Local 471, working on the many varied projects that they support at the National Arts Centre and with the National Capital Commission, including numerous Canada Day productions.

Robert was an avid reader with a love for knowledge including in military history, genealogy, trivia, and current affairs. He was a kind man who was always ready to lend a hand when needed, and was loved and respected by those who knew and worked with him. He had a gentle way with children that will be missed, especially by his grandson.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his memory to Habitat for Humanity. Messages of condolence can be left on the website of the Funeral Cooperative of Ottawa.

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May God give you the strength and the courage to overcome these difficult times. May this message bring you the testimony of a profound and sincere sympathy. To help you forget these sad hours, may our thoughts bring you comfort and serenity. Although flowers wither, die and disappear, their precious perfume remains. Like these bright flowers, those we love never die, they remain with us forever imprinted in our memories. There are no words to express how much we are devastated by the loss you live. We just hope that our sympathy will bring you some relief.

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15 messages received

Berry de Mestral

I am so sorry to see the news of your father's passing. He sounds like he was a remarkable man. Please take care of yourself at this sad time.

Bob Thomas, January 13, 2023

Lorayne

Keeping you in my warmest thoughts as you navigate this difficult time—and wishing you hope and healing when you’re ready.

Carroll Piotrkowski , January 13, 2023

Rayne

Les and I remember Bob with great fondness. We are so sorry.

Coralie and Les Bartley, January 13, 2023

The family

I was saddened to hear about this. Bob was such an amazing human and I am grateful I had the opportunity to learn from him. Always one to help or provide feedback and suggestions. When I think of
UofO theatre he always comes to mind… I wish I had kept up with him. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to the family and may he live on forever in your hearts.

sam a., January 13, 2023

Family

Ah ce Bob! J’ai appris le mélange des couleurs avec lui (avec les gobo d’éclairage!)! Je préserverai en souvenir un technicien doué pour plein de trucs, débrouillard, et toujours disponible pour aider les étudiants pour trouver des solutions, monter des décors, des éclairages, être présent, avec son expertise. Merci Bob! Mes condoléances.

Karoline Yelle , January 14, 2023

Bob’s beloved wife and family

Bob was a huge support and advisor to me and my classmates in the Ottawa U class of ‘79. I dropped in at the theatre there once when I was touring a decade later. He heard my voice in the stairwell, knew immediately who I was and greeted me so warmly. Such a loving, generous man he was. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.

Sandy Cumberland , January 14, 2023

Bob’s beloved wife and family

Bob was a huge support and advisor to me and my classmates in the Ottawa U class of ‘79. I dropped in at the theatre there once when I was touring a decade later. He heard my voice in the stairwell, knew immediately who I was and greeted me so warmly. Such a loving, generous man he was. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.

Sandy Cumberland , January 14, 2023

The family

Bob was one of my top two favorite teachers at the Theatre Department of Ottawa U. Kind and funny, I will always remember his mix of instant coffee with powdered milk on his desk. He was such a wonderful person, it was a joy to learn from him.
My deepest condolences to the family.

Pascale Poulin, January 14, 2023

La famille De Mestral

Bob était tout un personnage au département de théâtre, passionné, plein de ressources, un peu grincheux mais toujours bienveillant; il nous a bien fait rire avec ses façons de faire et son petit sourire en coin.

Je vous offre mes sympathies.

Annie Lefebvre, January 15, 2023

Lorayne

Dear Lorayne, I published the following text, in French as well, on my Facebook page. It received a great many messages of sympathies from the whole theatre community.
With my deepest condolences to you and your family,
Tibor
Robert de Mestral

The University of Ottawa's Theatre Department, but also the entire theatre community of the region, in all languages, has just lost a colleague, a professor, a friend, a loved one. Everyone who has been involved in theatre here for the past fifty years knew Robert de Mestral, Bob to everyone, the former Technical Director of the Department. He was the epitome of competence coupled with unfailing benevolence.

His colleagues, generations of students, and outsiders who spent a few hours or a few months with us, remember this man whose only goal was to help. To help young people get into a business that is scary at first, to help creators achieve their goals, to help the theatre community grow and progress.

When Bob arrived in Ottawa, the Department did not yet exist and the fate of theatre within the University was far from assured. One of the key requirements was our ability to do productions. And this is where Bob's contribution was invaluable. His fair, convincing, and frugal plans were the reason we were able to convince the authorities of our viability. It is largely due to him that the Theatre Department exists today.

Thus, in addition to being a great man of the theatre, Bob, as one of the founders of the Department, will have made a significant contribution to the development of theatrical life in our region. We will remain infinitely grateful to him.

Thank you, Mr. de Mestral, thank you Bob!

Our deepest condolences go out to Lorayne, Berry and Hector.

Tibor Egervari
Former Director of the Department of Theatre

Tibor Egervari, January 16, 2023

Famille Robert de Mestral

Mes sincères condoléances à toutes la famille

Ghislain Tremblay , January 22, 2023

Lorraine et Berry

Je suis avec vous de tout coeur merci à la vie de m' avoir fait partager ta route. Je ne garde que de bons souvenirs. Mes plus sincères condoléances.

Marie Josée Tremblay, January 26, 2023

Toute la famille et Charles

Mes plus sincères condoléances

Rita Tremblay , January 28, 2023

Charles et toute sa famille

Nos plus sincères condoléances

Camille Tremblay, January 28, 2023

Lorayne

Mrs. De Mestral,
I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband. I don't know if you remember me, but your role as an English teacher never left me and I can only imagine the support you need right now. I'll always be available at 818-223-7887, if you ever need someone to talk to. And thank you for introducing me to Gattaca.

Sincerely,
Celine McRae-Hamdy
(formerly Hany McRae Hamdy)

Celine McRae-Hamdy , January 27, 2024