André Lallier, a fixture at Montreal radio for 30 years, died Sunday of cancer, Bell Media announced. He was 52.
Lallier was program director for CHOM for a little under five years, and has been with CKMF 94.3 since he was 20 years old.
In Bell’s press release, Martin Spalding, the general manager of local radio in Quebec, made it clear he lost a friend:
Our entire team today lost an irreplaceable professional and a valued friend. Thanks to his love for radio and music and his total dedication to the success of the stations where he worked over the years, André has left an indelible mark on our entire industry. On behalf of everyone at Bell Media, I wish to salute the memory of André and offer my sincere condolences to his spouse Annie, son Alex, and his family and many friends.
Visitation is at the Sainte-Thérèse Complex of Les Résidences Funéraires Goyer (105 Desjardins Blvd. E. in Ste-Thérèse) on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 1-4pm, followed by “a celebration in his honour” from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
News of Lallier’s death has resulted in a flood of messages to his Facebook page from colleagues and friends.
Particularly touching is this image of the door to his office, via Pierre Landry:
We are truly saddened by the passing of our dear friend André Lallier. We love you, André. https://t.co/tT3hQBw0Du
— CHOM 97 7 Montreal (@CHOM977) October 4, 2015
RIP André Lallier. We are radio orphans today. You're gone too soon!!! We will always love you xx
— Pierre Houde (@PierreHoudeRDS) October 4, 2015
One of the good guys. RIP.