Sept. 10, 1946 – Dec. 10, 2025
Michel Louis Jutras passed away on Dec. 10, 2025, at his home in Qualicum Beach, B.C. He was born Sept. 10, 1946, to Cyrille Jutras and Bernadette Lepage in Saint-Cyrille-de-Wendover, Que.
After attending seminary as a teenager, Michel ventured across Canada and discovered a taste for life out west. He later explored central Canada, the east coast and Central America, finding adventure both on land and at sea, before returning to B.C. in the late 1960s.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in anthropology and French literature from The University of British Columbia. Initially on track for an academic career, the call of the ocean proved irresistible. Michel spent the next 40 years fishing B.C. coastal waters while living in West Vancouver, Tsawwassen, Victoria and Salt Spring Island, where he settled in 1979. He moved to Qualicum Beach in early 2025.
Michel was happiest on his boats — Blue Venture, Dad-Son, Princess Cherie, Heather Isle and Silver Dawn I — primarily fishing salmon and later roe herring, food herring, roe-on-kelp, krill and pilchard. A lifelong learner, he continued his education throughout his maritime career, completing the Canadian Securities Course and the Certified Financial Planner program, and completing numerous maritime certifications.
His seafaring credentials allowed him to broaden his work to include scientific research charters and small ferry operations in the Northern Gulf Islands. In his early seventies, he obtained his advanced polar waters certification and worked in the Arctic until retiring at 75.
A self-made man with an insatiable curiosity, Michel lived life on his own terms. His idea of light reading was Proust while in the bath. Over the years, he enjoyed skiing, swimming and cycling, and he loved to travel, including trips to Europe, multiple family visits to Quebec and winters in Mexico.
Michel was predeceased by his siblings Michel and Denise (both in infancy), Jean-Marc, Marcelle and Gaston, and was survived for a short time by his sister Pauline. He is lovingly remembered by his siblings Rosaline (Norman), Gerald and Yvon (Claire); his children, Claire, Tristan (Stephanie) and Selena; his beloved grandson Ernest; many nieces and nephews; and his sweetheart of over a decade, Maureen.
He was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by all who cherish stories of his passion for the sea, his appreciation of books and music, his interest in challenging films and competitive games, his sense of humour and his gift for spirited conversation.
A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m. at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, 887 Wembley Rd., Parksville, B.C., with a reception afterward at 1 p.m. at Off The Hook (at Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course), 469 Memorial Ave., Qualicum Beach, B.C. In lieu of flowers, donations in Michel’s memory may be made to The Salvation Army or to a charity of your choice.
“When the sun sets on the ocean blue,
remember me, as I will always remember you.
As the sun rises, go live life as full as can be.
Apart — you and me — but at peace, for I am free.”