"I'm trying to think today, why has Bruce been so appreciated?" Mayor Karin Marks asked during an informal 'roast' held prior to the regular council meeting. Residents were invited to step forward and relate personal experiences they'd had with their director general over the years.

Last Saturday evening, City staff held a roast of their own, which also included a number of toasts. While many of the employees turned up at city hall on Monday, it was the turn of residents, city councillors and the mayor to express their thoughts publicly.

"He really embodies the characteristics of this community; he values traditions and stability. He's been here for 33 years, which is almost as long as some of our heritage houses," Marks joked before turning to St. Louis. "When you came to Westmount, you found a place where you felt comfortable, but I think also where the residents of the community resonate really well to the kind of values you hold."

"I don't know how to put it diplomatically for Duncan Campbell, who's going to replace him, but just to say that there couldn't be a tougher act to follow than Bruce St. Louis," said Councillor John de Castell.

"He is the glue that has kept vibrant the most cherished values of our citizens for our city," added Councillor Tom Thompson.

Former mayor Peter Trent, who worked for years alongside St. Louis to reverse the forced merger which was imposed on Westmount, said to him, "I couldn't have done what I did as mayor without you. I couldn't have fought mergers. I couldn't have helped build the library. All those things, I couldn't have done without you."

Citing an example of St. Louis's kindness, one woman recalled how she had been caring at home several years ago for her 107-year-old aunt, who has since passed on, but was Westmount's oldest citizen at the time.

"I certainly did not expect Bruce to appear at the funeral," she said. "He also arranged for the parking, knowing that there would be a number of people for the luncheon afterwards. No request was made, but he did it. This was Bruce. Thank you, Bruce!"

Photo: Martin C. Barry