At Maison St-Raphaël, some individuals stand out for their consistency and their ability to build connections. Luc Pelletier is one of them. A dedicated volunteer for nearly six years, Luc’s wonderful journey with Maison St-Raphaël began in 2020, upon his return from the Eastern Townships. One day, he heard a radio interview with our Director of Multidisciplinary Services, Véronique Després, who spoke about the essential role of volunteers at Maison St-Raphaël. At that time, already retired, something deeply resonated with him. He wrote down the name on a piece of paper, intending to call later. Shortly afterward, he saw an advertisement for an open house and decided to attend. While there, he ran into Julie Jobin, a former massage therapist at the Maison, now retired, but above all, a friend he has known for nearly 20 years.
Luc volunteers at the reception desk on the second floor, where he works five-hour shifts every other Monday and Wednesday. In theory, he starts at 9 a.m., but for him, the day always begins a little earlier. He likes to arrive a bit early to take the time to make sure everything is in place and that the space is welcoming and ready to receive visitors. An eye for detail, as you’ll see later, that’s far from trivial. He pays special attention to welcoming newly admitted patients.
He likes to meet them as soon as they arrive, greet them at the door, and exchange a few words, even if only briefly. A simple gesture, but one that’s deeply meaningful to him. Every glance, every word, every gesture of care counts. For him, offering a human presence from the very first moments is a way to help make this transition a little easier, reflecting a deep intention: to ensure that every person who walks through the doors feels welcomed. He knows this: for these patients, Maison St-Raphaël will be their final home.
A path shaped by experience
Luc describes himself first and foremost as a self-taught, someone who learns through practice and experience. He holds a high school diploma and quickly chose to enter the workforce afterward. Over the course of his career, he intuitively developed key skills: organizing, managing, analyzing, and problem-solving. Skills he didn’t acquire in the classroom, he says, but rather in the field, through challenges and opportunities. And later, driven by a desire to deepen his knowledge, he took evening classes in accounting. He also took courses in creativity at the University of Montreal, in addition to participating in various workshops on personal growth and human relations.
Professionally, Luc has had a rich and varied career. Over the years, he has worked in sales and market development, mainly within small businesses. He has also worked as a mortgage broker and has experience as a self-employed professional. In his various jobs, Luc may not have always created the positions he held, but he often helped transform them, adapt them, and develop them as needed.
Volunteering is nothing new to Luc: he’s been doing it since he was 15. Getting involved, giving his time, and being helpful to others: these are part of who he is. That’s why, at Maison St-Raphaël, Luc doesn’t limit himself to a single role. Although he’s mainly at the front desk, you can also find him in the laundry room, the kitchen, and, during the summer, in the garden.
This stone wall, which you’ve no doubt recognized in the photo, was entirely designed by Luc using materials sourced directly from the Maison’s grounds. It’s a project he continues to look upon with pride to this day. Luc is also involved in supervising corporate volunteers, particularly during seasonal activities like raking leaves in the fall.
The heart of his commitment: people
When asked what he loves most about his involvement at Maison St-Raphaël, Luc answers without hesitation: EVERYTHING. He admits, however, that he would find it hard to do without the reception area, which he considers the heart of his involvement. He enjoys talking, listening, and connecting. Every encounter is an opportunity to build a bond, even a brief one. Some days are busier, others quieter, but for Luc, each one is valuable. His regular presence, several days a week, allows him to meet a wide variety of people: patients, family members, staff, and volunteers. It’s a diversity he particularly appreciates.
Meaningful experiences in the face of death
When the subject turns to death, Luc speaks with great sincerity and in a very personal way about his experiences with two people who were very important to him: his godmother, with whom he spent every summer during his youth, and his mother. Both suffered strokes and fell into comas. Despite their condition, Luc felt that they had chosen him to be the last presence by their side before they passed. These experiences have profoundly shaped his life. Even today, when he thinks back on them, these two women serve as a kind of guide, a quiet inner compass.
Outside of his involvement at Maison St-Raphaël, Luc cultivates interests that keep him active and curious. He has a strong interest in personal finance, he follows the stock market, manages his own investments, and has built his own pension fund over time. For Luc, an ideal day off means heading out on his bike and exploring the alleyways of Greater Montreal. Letting the moment carry him, discovering new corners, observing. And when asked what superpower he would choose, his answer is something fundamental: that everyone could live in peace.
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