CEO Robert Petipas

June 21, 2006. It is with deep regrets that we inform you of the passing of Robert Petitpas, Immediate Past Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. Robert passed away this morning at 8:00am at the age of 70. Mr. Petitpas was a sincere and loyal friend of the USCG Auxiliary, he will be sorely missed by his compatriots around the world who are dedicated to saving lives at sea. A biography of Robert follows. Funeral and remembrances follow the biography.

Robert Petitpas Biography

Work Experience

Mr. Robert Petitpas came from a family of navigators. He joined the Navy League of Canada at age fifteen, and was promoted to sailing instructor by age sixteen. While at high school and university, he worked for six years on Canada Steamship Line cruise ships.

Robert was the Assistant Director at the Pigeon Recreation Centre from 1959 to 1961. Robert was responsible for coordinating recreational activities organized by volunteers for sixty different activities for persons ranging from five years of age to senior citizens. Even as a man in his early twenties Robert was destined for volunteer work!

Robert then worked for the Montreal School Board teaching mentally challenged students aged ten to fourteen.

Robert worked for twenty seven years as a Labour Force Counsellor and Supervisor in the federal public service in Montreal and Sorel, Québec eventually retiring in 1990 as Regional Superintendent, National Industrial Training Program.

CCGA Québec Regional Achievements

Robert Petitpas joined the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (Québec) Inc. in February 1981 and immediately became founding commander of the 22nd Rescue Unit in Sorel.

Robert was then promoted to district commander in 1983. As a result, he became a member of the CCGA Québec regional board of directors, on which he has now served for over 20 years. For eight years, he was Vice-President of prevention.

While serving as Vice-President, he set up prevention-related structures within CCGA Québec, thus giving the organization fresh momentum. It was also during this time that Robert initiated projects to motivate Auxiliary members to be more active in boating safety activities. These initiatives are still in place today and used by Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Québec members.

Not having enough work to do, it was at this time that he chaired a five person committee that rewrote and updated CCGA Québec’s bylaws. The re-write of the bylaws took one year to complete.

In 1993, he was encouraged to run for President of CCGA (Québec), and remained President until 2004.

When Robert took over as President of CCGA Québec in 1993, the Association had 440 members and 169 vessels that responded to 328 taskings. Under Robert’s leadership and dedication CCGA Québec grew to 654 members, 150 vessels and conducted 397 search and rescue taskings in 2005.

As President of CCGA Quebec, Robert served on the CCGA National Council for thirteen years, including six years as vice-Chair of the CCGA National Council.

During his tenure as President, CCGA Québec underwent many changes. Employees were hired and the Auxiliary assumed additional responsibilities from the Canadian Coast Guard. Under his leadership CCGA Québec instituted their first regional search and rescue skills competition which has now become an annual event.

Robert was instrumental in bringing SARSCENE 2000, Canada’s largest search and rescue conference to Laval, Québec. SARSCENE 2000 saw over 800 delegates from Canada and the United States descend upon Laval, Québec for a five day conference and workshop. As President of CCGA Québec and co-host of SARSCENE 2000 Mr. Petitpas voluntarily organized a search and rescue demonstration exercise as part of SARSCENE 2000. It was the largest search and rescue demonstration ever held in the province of Québec and took place over a five-hour period.

The demonstration SAR cruise on the St. Lawrence River started at the Old Port of Montreal and ended at Saint-Ignace de Loyola. There were SAR demonstrations throughout the trip: a kayak in trouble; high-angle rescuers rappelling down from Jacques-Cartier Bridge and being picked up by a fast rescue craft, a rescue of persons in the water; a tug-on-fire scenario, involving life-rafts, people parachuting into the water from an aircraft and being picked up by a helicopter; water landing of a CL-415 firefighting water bomber aircraft to evacuate an injured person; and a jet boat pulling an oil-slick boom, recovered by an air cushioned vehicle (hovercraft).

The co-ordination and logistics of this single event in bringing together many organizations that included la Secrétariat national de recherche et sauvetage, Sauvetage Canada Rescue, Sureté du Québec, Bombardier Aéronautique, Parcs Canada, le Service des incendies de la Ville de Montréal, le Ministère de la Défense nationale, le Port de plaisance de Lachine, les Croisères AML, la municipalité de Sainte-Anne de Sorel, le service des incendies de Sorel-Tracy was a monumental task in itself. Over 200 Canadian and foreign delegates aboard the cruise vessel watched the spectacle.

The following day, on October 15, 2000 Robert organized the first International Search and Rescue (ISAR 2000) competition with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. The international competition was held at Lachine, Québec with five teams from Canada and six teams from the United States participating. The ISAR competition has now become an annual event as a direct result of the success of ISAR 2000. The Search and Rescue Exercise and the ISAR 2000 competition took over nine months of co-ordination and planning.

Robert had unique leadership ability and boundless devotion and energy to the cause of CCGA Québec. Aside from being President of CCGA Québec, Robert sat on numerous advisory boards and committees including the Canadian Safe Boating Council, the training committee for the Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card, the Recreational Boating Advisory Council (Québec and National) and he was a participant in the International Joint Commission study of water levels (pleasure boating and tourism study group). He also sat on the navigation committee of St. Lawrence Vision 2000.

Since 1990 Robert helped his wife Claudette write and publish “Le Dauphin” the journal and newsletter of CCGA Québec. It’s a bilingual publication averaging fifty pages per issue, with photos, published four times a year. When Robert and Claudette took over this task, it was just a few pages long; now it has become the most important source of information and communications tool for the members, partners and friends of CCGA Québec.

In 1992 Robert steered a Motivational Study of CCGA Québec members entitled Horizon 2000. The objective of the study was to develop an action plan that would meet the needs of CCGA Québec members by identifying a vision of the future for the organization, its priorities and the motivation of its members. In addition the study identified a functional structure that would facilitate communication between the directors and the members. Many of the recommendations assisted in the development of what Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Québec is today.

Robert and Claudette continued to respond to search and rescue incidents aboard their trawler the PETIT-PAS III. Robert and Claudette were often seen together walking the docks at local marinas and yacht clubs conducting courtesy checks of pleasure craft. These courtesy checks include the examination and inspection of regulatory and life saving equipment that is required for the safe operation and navigation on board pleasure craft. Each courtesy check takes between thirty to ninety minutes depending on the operator’s skill level and the length of the vessel.

Robert was the organization’s president, but that didn’t stop him from staffing kiosks and booths at boat shows and exhibitions and answering questions from the public in person. Because he was so well known, the local media often invited him to appear on information programs. Robert was on many local and national news broadcasts.

Robert was directly responsible for acquiring the old CCG building in Sorel, Québec by having the ownership of the building transferred to the CCGA. The building was transferred through the normal processes with Public Works & Government Services Canada. This is the first building anywhere in Canada to be transferred to the CCGA. The building was officially opened on Friday, September 5th, 2003. The acquisition of the building valued at over $500,000 was a significant achievement for the Auxiliary. The building is the new office of CCGA Québec and will serve Auxiliary members for many years to come. The entire acquisition process took nearly five years to come to fruition.

Robert was never one to let an opportunity slip by and successfully negotiated the ownership transfer of several surplus Coast Guard fast rescue craft to CCGA Québec. These vessels have since been strategically located in communities throughout Québec that were in need of a search and rescue vessel.

Robert established partnerships and exchanges in the Province of Québec with many organizations with similar mandates as the Coast Guard Auxiliary such as Surete Québec, Sauvetage et Recherche Aériens du Québec (SERABEC), Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Sauvetage Rescue Canada, Canadian Red Cross Society, Royal Lifesaving Society and the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons.

Robert also worked closely with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary coordinating training exercises and exchanges of information and training materials.

CCGA National Achievements

In early 1998 Robert chaired the CCGA Uniform Committee that saw the development of the CCGA uniform and the CCGA National Uniform Guidelines. The development of the guidelines took over eighteen months to complete.

With his extensive experience as an instructor with the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons Robert was a natural fit to lead the development of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Boating Safety Course and public education programme. Between December 1998 and February 2000 Robert spearheaded the development of this course and its examination program. The CCGA Safe Boating Course is currently being used by Auxiliary members across Canada to train the boating public and its own membership. Robert led the development of all publications in Canada’s both official languages.

As vice-Chair of the CCGA National Council Robert’s duties included representing the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer at different national and international fora. Robert attended numerous functions throughout the United States and Canada. Robert also gave a lecture at the congress of the International Lifeboat Federation Conference in Uruguay. Speaking on behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard and Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, he described maritime search and rescue work in Canada to SAR professionals and volunteers from over thirty-five countries.

Robert also chaired the CCGA Vessel Identification Committee that was responsible for developing vessel identification guidelines and recommending colour schemes for CCGA vessels.

Robert chaired the National Fundraising Committee that was responsible for raising funds for the six CCGA Associations and directing national fundraising promotions, marketing strategies and associated activities.

As a member of CCGA National Council Robert participated in many studies, reviews, projects and strategic planning sessions including the following major initiatives:

· The 1996 Feasibility Study and Potential Analysis of Supplementary Funding for the Auxiliary conducted by Ernst & Young;
· The development of the 2002 Edition of the CCGA National Guidelines;
· The development of the First Edition of the CCGA National Training Standards;
· The Canadian Coast Guard and Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary National Policy Forum entitled “Partnership is Shared Responsibility”;
· The Canadian Coast Guard and Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Strategic Planning Session; and
· The Governance Review of CCGA National.

As a result of his leadership, vision and dedication to the Auxiliary in August 2004 he was voted in as Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. During his tenure as Chief Executive Officer, Robert signed a Tri Party Memorandum of Understanding between the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Transport Canada’s Marine Safety Directorate and the Canadian Coast Guard on January 28th, 2005. The inaugural Tri Party MOU defined the areas of cooperation to facilitate the planning and financing among the participants for the enhancement of their common goals of promoting boating safety and protecting the maritime safety interests of the citizens of Canada.

Robert volunteered 40 to 50 hours every week just for the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary translating into over 2250 hours annually to an organization he loved and cherished. It is estimated Robert has donated over 40,000 hours to the CCGA alone. Factoring into all the volunteers hours Mr. Petitpas has donated through all his additional organizations would easily reach over 80,000 hours over his life time. Quite an achievement!

Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPSS)

Robert was a volunteer instructor for Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons from 1975 to 1986. The CPSS is responsible for promoting boating safety throughout Canada with a strong emphasis teaching boating safety courses. During that time, and ever since, Robert occupied a variety of administrative positions in CPSS. After being squadron commander he worked on the National Board for four years, two as district commander and two as the CPSS General Director. In addition, he also served on the national membership committee responsible for membership retention programs. He remained an active member of this organization until his death and recently received his 30 year merit award.

In 1987, Robert’s doctors told him that he had incurable cancer and gave him two months to live. He took up this new challenge, while continuing his volunteer work. Victorious in his struggle with cancer, he began preparing for retirement. Shortly after retiring in 1990, Robert and Claudette left on a year long cruise on board their 36 foot trawler the PETIT-PAS III. He continued his work as Vice-President of CCGA Québec and took part in Board of Director meetings during return visits to Canada to see his doctors.

In 1992, the Petitpas’ took the same trip but in the opposite direction going via the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. From there they returned through the inter-coastal waterway along the east coast of the United States. The Petitpas’ gave many lectures about their long sailing journeys as guest lecturers for the Power and Sail Squadrons.

Since 1975 Robert worked with others organizing an annual boat rally on the Sorel Islands. Its purpose was to get new boaters to realize they needed training.

Les Petits Frères des Pauvres

Robert was the kind of person who got 100% involved in whatever he did, but he always had time to volunteer for Les Petits Frères des Pauvres. This organization looks after isolated seniors over 80 who live alone, bringing companionship and a bit of joy into their lives. Robert and Claudette picked up elderly citizens for events and then drove them home.

At Christmas and Easter, they visited invalid seniors living in institutions. Robert and Claudette would also accompany seniors with restricted mobility to assist them in attending celebrations organized by Les Petits Frères des Pauvres.

For nine years Robert and Claudette took care of an immigrant living at an institution in Sorel who had no relatives in Canada by visiting him three times a week. He recently, passed away and the Petitpas’ served as executors of his estate for his family members in Europe. Robert and Claudette recently ‘adopted’ a 90 year old lady who moved from Montreal to Sorel. Robert and Claudette have been involved in Les Petits Frères des Pauvres for over twenty years.

Additional Committee and Board Participation

· As President of CCGA Québec he was the Chair of CCGA Québec’s Regional Board of Directors, its Executive Committee and all other important committees;
· Robert was a Director of the Canadian Safe Boating Council;
· Robert was the Auxiliary’s committee member on the 2001 International Year of the Volunteer. The committee was responsible for organizing the International Year of the Volunteer ceremonies that took place on Parliament Hill and the Canadian Museum of Civilization which included a visit by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. The ceremonies were in honour of the more than 150,000 Canadians who volunteer in support of 26 federal government departments and agencies;
· Robert was the Vice-President of the Recreational Boating Advisory Council (Québec Region);
· Robert was a member of the National Recreational Boating Advisory Council;
· Robert was a regular attendee of the Canadian Marine Advisory Council;
· Robert was a member of the Conseil québécois du nautisme;
· Robert sat on the St. Lawrence Vision 2000 Navigation Committee.
· For the past 5 years Robert served as a volunteer on the Committee of Adjustment for City of Ste-Anne-de-Sorel where he resided. The Committee analysed and made recommendations to the city council on citizens’ requests for minor variances from building regulations. Robert was chair of this committee for four years;
· Robert was a member of the Recreational boating and tourism study group of the International Joint Commission study of water levels in the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River;
· Robert was a member the Lake St. Pierre monitoring committee that was responsible for the removal of over 400,000 shells fired into the lake by the Department of National Defence since 1945;
· Robert was a member of the St. Lawrence River User Group;
· Robert was an associate member of the Provincial Issues Table for Search and Rescue Volunteers;
· Robert was a member of the International Search and Rescue Competition Committee; and
· Finally, Robert sat on a number of sub-committees of the above mentioned committees and boards.

Awards

He was twice awarded the Best Volunteer Instructor 1977 to 1978 by the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons.

On January 18, 1997, Robert was awarded the Certificate of Merit for Volunteers by the Manager, Search and Rescue, Canadian Coast Guard.

On January 13, 2002, he was awarded the Canadian Safe Boater of the Year Award by the Canadian Safe Boating Council.

On March 16, 2002, he was awarded the CCGA Leadership Medal and the CCGA Exemplary Service Medal.

On September 14, 2002, the National Search and Rescue Secretariat awarded Robert a Certificate of Achievement for his dedication to Search and Rescue and Boating Safety in Canada.

In October 2002, Robert was awarded a life membership in the Canadian Power & Sail Squadron in recognition of his 28 years of volunteer work.

Robert was an honorary member of the corps of interpreters of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary for his volunteer efforts translating English to French and vice-versa.

On March 20, 2004, Robert was awarded the Canadian Coast Guard’s Commissioner’s Commendation the highest Canadian Coast Guard award for volunteers.

Among the many rescues in which Robert has participated, it is recalled how on a stormy night in October a few years ago, he and three others rescued five hunters out on Lake St-Pierre. The hunters’ vessel had broken down and they were over a mile from shore, stranded on a shoal. Due to the shallowness of the water, current, poor weather and the fact that it took place at night made it a tricky operation. One of the people rescued was a volunteer from France’s own volunteer maritime rescue society. When he got home, this gentleman sent CCGA Québec a cheque for $100 and a note saying ‘your organization must have the same needs as ours. Thanks.’

All this together with his family life means that a day in the life of Robert Petitpas was a day well filled.

Robert was a person whose primary concern was the well being of others, whether they were mariners, impoverished, senior citizens, lonely or just in need of assistance. Robert demonstrated through his involvement with the CCGA an outstanding level of service to his community, his province and his country. Robert strengthened the Canadian SAR system with his determination to save lives. Most importantly, Robert made the world a safer and better place to live. He has touched the lives of many, many people who are the better for it today. Mr. Robert Petitpas made a difference!

Funeral arrangements and remembrances.

Friends can pay respect at:

Mandeville & Mineau Funeral Home
80, rue Charlotte
Sorel-Tracy, Quebec
J3P 1G4
(450) 742-8822

Schedule at the Funeral Home:
Thursday, June 22, from 2:00pm to 5:00pm and from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Friday, June 23, from 10:00am to 2:00pm

The Funeral service will take place at

Église Sainte-Anne de Sorel, Quebec
on Friday, june 23 at 2:00pm.

In Memoriam donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

-SK