Rodger Brulotte touched us deeply by evoking the decision of his long-time friend, Claude Lavoie, to resort to medical assistance in dying.
Claude Lavoie, a legendary figure in Quebec sport and a baseball enthusiast, chose to end his suffering caused by widespread cancer.
“Last Sunday, I reached him on the phone. I had just learned without his knowledge that his request for medical assistance in dying had been accepted. He kept telling me that he was calm with his decision to leave, on May 30, and that his generalized cancer was making him suffer too much.” (credit: TVA Sports)
Claude and Rodger share a friendship of over 60 years. Passionate about baseball, Claude worked with the Montreal Royals and co-founded the Friends of Baseball Club.
He played elite junior baseball, owned the Ville-Marie team and had a career as a police officer for 21 years with the Sûreté du Québec.
Claude’s involvement in the world of sport does not stop there. In 2018, he was inducted into the Baseball Quebec Hall of Fame as a builder. He rubbed shoulders with baseball and hockey legends, and was responsible for the Expos’ visiting locker room, from their debut at Jarry Park in 1971 to the Olympic Stadium in 1993.
During their last conversation, a most emotional moment etched in time forever, Claude shared with Rodger his feelings of serenity about his decision.
They recalled many memories, including moments spent with the journalist Serge Touchette, who is also a great friend of Claude.
Despite his illness, Claude remained at home until recently, before preparing to enter a palliative care center with his daughter Danielle.
“I thought he was hospitalized, but to my great surprise, I learned on Monday that he was still at home when I reached him. He was getting ready to leave the house with his daughter Danielle to head to a palliative care center.
I was amazed to see my friend leave his house, leaving behind the memories of his life without shedding a single tear. He was at peace with his decision.”
Claude also confided to Rodger the painful circumstances of his dismissal by the Expos, linked to an incident during the death of Don Drysdale. Despite the support of the players, this experience was a difficult ordeal for Claude. Here is his testimony that sends shivers down the spine.
“My dismissal by the Expos is more difficult than requesting medical assistance in dying”
“It’s simple, one of the reasons for my dismissal is linked to my behavior during the death of former Montreal Royals and Dodgers player Don Drysdale, who was also the commentator at Dodgers games. The great right-hander died suddenly following a cardiac arrest in Montreal.
“Drysdale’s family and the Dodgers organization asked me to liaise with a funeral home so that Don’s body could be safely returned to Los Angeles. As a result of my efforts, I was summoned at the Expo office.”
“One of the managers, who I do not want to name, demanded that I pay the bill for the phone calls I made from the players’ locker room. I had no choice but to notify the organization of the Dodgers of the fate that the Expos put me through.”
“The president of the California team was furious. A few days later, the Dodgers refunded me the money I had to pay. It was the beginning of my destiny, which would lead to my dismissal. After being fired In February 1994, the man who ended my career offered me another job. He wanted me to take care of the maintenance of the Expos locker room without having any contact with the players. Without hesitation, I. I refused his offer.”
“Also, a few weeks after my dismissal, some players joined forces to give me a large sum of money to thank me for what I had done for them.”
Claude Lavoie never recovered. Imagine. He is about to go to heaven and he cries tears… remembering his dismissal.
A long pause followed, because Claude was crying his eyes out, he was so saddened. He couldn’t stop crying when he told me: “The Expos were my family. I didn’t deserve what they did to me. The Expos put me through an ordeal more sad and heartbreaking than having accepted medical assistance in dying. Thank you to all my friends and I hope that one day you will experience the return of the Expos.”
In addition to his sporting career, Claude experienced historic moments as a police officer, notably during the October crisis of 1970.
His role as a media relations officer during this period and his involvement in tragic events demonstrate his resilience and dedication.
Claude left his mark for eternity in the world of baseball when he started as a batting attendant with the Montreal Royals in 1955.
He has worked with many sports legends and has been responsible for equipment for over 100 Hall of Famers.
His friendship with players like Gary Carter and Claude Raymond is a testament to the profound impact he had on their lives.
He is serene at the idea of leaving this life. And he aspires to bring together a team of legendary players in heaven. He is the most serious in the world when he says that he wants to form this team once in paradise.
His legacy is that of a passionate, dedicated and sensitive man, whose contributions to the sport and the community will always be remembered.
Bravo to Rodger Brulotte for introducing us to this man. We cried our eyes out. Don’t forget to tell your loved ones that you love them.
Life is so short…and so fragile…
2024-05-24 22:09:33
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