Meet Bruno Langlois. He recently retired working as a maintenance worker at the Centre d’hébergement de Dorval for 46 years. During all that time, he worked to keep the facility in good working order. After all, to him it was his second home. And in doing so, he also took care of both the residents and the employees there.

Mr. Langlois, can you tell us how you get started at the Foyer Dorval, as the facility was known then?
“I started my career on July 15, 1977. My first job was as a part-time dishwasher and food services assistant, mostly on the weekends. I often finished my work weeks by helping out the maintenance and housekeeping teams. Then I started working the maintenance night shift full-time for just over two years. In December 1988 I finally joined what is now called the Technical Services and Major Infrastructure Projects Directorate as a maintenance worker. That’s the job I had until I retired.

When I started there, the Foyer Dorval was a private institution that belonged to the Congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom, a religious institute. My job interview as with Sister Denise!”

How did your role evolve over the years?
“In truth, until I retired I carried out the same tasks I was entrusted with 36 years earlier. Those tasks included all sorts of repairs using my plumbing, electrical, and carpentry skills, for example. I also took care of the grounds. I was the only maintenance employee for I really took care of everything, even domains that were not my speciality. Thankfully I had good people I could call on in my directorate when I needed them. 

With the arrival of computers and cellphones, my responsibilities changed. In addition to my other tasks, I began to take on more administrative and logistical tasks.” 

What do you enjoy most about your work?
“I love working with my hands and I always considered the Centre d’hébergement de Dorval to be MY building, MY second home. So I made sure that everything was in good working order and being flexible about the requests I received. 

When I was on vacation, I was still happy to take work calls. And in fact, at my manager’s request, I still have my work cellphone … just in case. I will also be going back at work for a while to help train my replacement.”

What about your relationships with your colleagues and the residents?
“Not to flatter myself, but I was a good resource person for other members of the staff. And no matter what their role was, they were often my connection with the residents. By helping my colleagues, I was indirectly helping the residents. I’ve always had a great deal of respect for seniors. That’s why I treated them all as individuals, and shared a lot of laughs with them.”

What would you say to someone who is considering a career in your sector, within a healthcare and social services setting?
“If you’re looking for a job with good working conditions and job security, this is a very appealing sector. A residential facility has a family feel to it. And you need to believe in yourself, take some initiative, and want improve your workplace, because it’s home to people who are vulnerable.”

Mr. Langlois’ wife, Ms. Claire Farineau, joined us for the interview. She kindly agreed to tell us a little bit about their lives.

Ms. Farineau, does your husband have any plans for his well-earned retirement?
“Since the very first day of his retirement, Bruno has been working on fulfilling a lifelong dream: learning to become a truck driver. He has talked about it so much that I’m convinced his first word wasn't mama or papa but truck! He loves to drive and keep moving, so working a few days a week should keep him happy. For him, working keeps him healthy.”

Do you have hobbies you enjoy together?
“We walk a lot and enjoy riding our tandem bicycle, which helps keep us in sync! We’ve also done the Tour de l’Île several times, both as participants and as volunteers.

We also enjoy cooking together. Bruno takes care of things that go on the stove, and I take care of things that go in the oven, namely desserts.”

You also worked at the Centre d’hébergement de Dorval. Is that where you met?
“I went to the same school as Bruno because we lived in the same neighbourhood. But we really got to know one another at work, where I had a student job in Food Services. “After dating for seven years, we have now been married for 35 years.”

Are you also retired?
“Yes, I retired last January after 43 years because my health is failing. A year ago I had a second kidney transplant. Bruno has been my guiding light through it all. Because of my health issues we were unable to have children. Thankfully, we have several nephews and nieces who have brought us a great deal of happiness.”

Tell us a little about your career in the healthcare network. 
I began working the Centre d’hébergement de Dorval in 1981. Although my health issues forced me to give up my studies in physiotherapy, I was hired as a physical rehabilitation assistant in 1992. I worked at the Day Centre until 2013, when it was relocated to the Centre d’hébergement de Lachine, where I continued to work. My job included such tasks as leading exercise groups and working to stimulate people with cognitive deficits.”

“One of my supervisors once told me, “We dropped Bruno in the middle of an empty field and he built the Centre d’hébergement de Dorval up around him,” laughs Langlois. He is shown together with Mathieu Jetté, Associate Director—Housekeeping and Food Services, Technical Services and Major Infrastructure Projects Directorate, at a gathering in honour of his retirement.

This lovely close-knit couple kindly took the time to speak with communications advisor Vanessa Jutras.