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John Abbott College staff and students are mourning the death of Humanities teacher Sylvain Duguay who was killed in a car accident in the Laurentians, Feb. 5. He was 41.

“He was a ray of sunshine,” Violaine Arès said, her voice cracking.

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As the chair of the Humanities, Philosophy and Religion department, Arès worked closely with Duguay.

“The students loved him and for the faculty — he was the type of person who brought people together,” she said.

Students posted their condolences on the RateMyTeacher website, describing him as “the best teacher I ever had” and “the most amazing person”.

“Students are crying in the halls,” Media Arts chair Tracey McKee said. “He was a true friend. I’ve never met a teacher who was more loved than Sylvain. He was exceptional.”

Duguay began teaching philosophy courses at CEGEP in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue in 2010.

He shared his life with internationally-acclaimed multi-disciplinary artist Victor Pilon.

According to Presse Canadienne, the accident happened Sunday morning on Highway 50, near Grenville-sur-la-Rouge. There were icy road conditions at the time. Two cars collided. A man and woman in the other car did not sustain serious injuries.

Visitation takes place at 4231 Blvd. St-Laurent, Feb. 12 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The commemoration ceremony begins at 4 p.m.

kgreenaway@postmedia.com