Julien LeBourdais

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Donat “Julien” LeBourdais, a devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, and a beacon of kindness and service in his community. Julien passed away due to septic shock, caused by a blood infection that overwhelmed his already weakened heart. He was 80 years old.

Julien is deeply mourned by his wife and partner of 25 years, Anna, his beloved daughter Lisa Bower (Matt), and his treasured grandchildren, Ben, Owen, Lily, and Noah. He is also lovingly remembered by Anna’s daughter Leigh Jasmine (Shawn Kidd) and their children, Gabby and Gavin, who brought immense joy to Julien’s life. Predeceased by his parents, Isabel and Don LeBourdais, and his siblings Isa Cole, Eric LeBourdais, and Eleanor LeBourdais, Julien is survived by his first wife, Linda LeBourdais-Near.

Born into a Toronto family of writers and social activists, Julien was profoundly shaped by his parents' convictions and work. His mother, Isabel, authored The Trial of Steven Truscott, shedding light on the wrongful conviction of a 14-year-old boy, while his father, D.M. LeBourdais, wrote extensively on Canadian history, mining, and northern exploration. Their dedication to truth and justice instilled in Julien the values that guided his life.

At the age of 14, Julien discovered his passion for photography, thanks to his brother Eric. From his first lesson in the family darkroom, photography became a profession, a passion, and an artistic calling. He was rarely without his camera. As a photojournalist, Julien photographed many politicians and elections, world leaders, celebrities, two Olympics, nine Canadian Prime Ministers, and many sporting events, capturing pivotal moments in history—from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 1967 Stanley Cup victory to his iconic image of John Lennon and Yoko Ono during their 1969 Bed-In for Peace. Through his lens, Julien revealed the world with depth and humanity.

Georgian Bay was the heart of Julien’s life. Summers spent at the family’s island cottage, "L’Islet," were filled with laughter, adventure, and a deep connection to nature. Although the family cottage was sold in 1987, Julien found immense joy when Lisa and Matt bought "Isabel Island" in 2022 and he could spend summers on the Bay once again. In recent years, Julien became a beloved figure in Sans Souci, sharing his passion for the history of Georgian Bay and the Sans Souci Copperhead area through engaging and heartfelt stories written about the region.

A man of boundless curiosity and generosity, Julien’s pursuits were as varied as they were meaningful. He was an accomplished scuba diving instructor, a respected photography educator—teaching at Sheridan, Humber, and Durham Colleges as well as at Ryerson University where he studied photography. Later, he became a committed and effective advocate in the nonprofit sector. As Executive Director of Feed the Need in Durham, he worked tirelessly to address food insecurity, leaving a lasting impact on countless lives. His final professional role at Joanne’s House focused on supporting youth experiencing homelessness, embodying his lifelong commitment to helping others.

Even in retirement, Julien’s dedication to service never waned. He volunteered in numerous roles, from guiding cardiac rehabilitation participants to serving on the community advisory board for homelessness in Durham Region. In his final years, Julien took on leadership roles as Vice President of the PROBUS Club of Ajax and Chair of the Age-Friendly Ajax Steering Committee, demonstrating his steadfast commitment to improving the lives of those around him.

Above all, Julien was a family man who delighted in life’s simplest joys—camping under the stars, traveling across Canada, and creating cherished memories with Anna and their six grandchildren. He loved unconditionally, was a constant cheerleader for his family’s dreams, and inspired all of us to achieve our goals. Julien’s love of music was a soundtrack to his life, filled with everything from the soulful melodies of Leonard Cohen to the high-energy sounds of Elvis and The Beach Boys. His humor—whether through his sharp wit or infamous dad jokes—brought laughter and groans in equal measure. His warmth, humor, and wisdom enriched the lives of all who knew him.

Julien’s legacy of love, service, and curiosity will continue to inspire those he touched. Julien, thank you for the light you brought to the world. You are deeply loved and profoundly missed.

Please join us as we honour and celebrate Julien's remarkable life and legacy. 

Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025

Time: 1:00 PM- 4:00 PM 

Location: The Royal Ashburn Golf Club Farm & Founder Restaurant (995 Myrtle Road West, Whitby)

All who knew and loved Julien are warmly invited to gather. 

Please note that from approximately 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM, we will be sharing memories of Julien. Family and friends are kindly encouraged to share their stories and memories during this time.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly request donations in Julien’s memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Innocence Canada, or Food Banks Canada.