It is with great sadness that my dear friend Mario Lemire aka Mario Canada aka Aria, passed away of a cardiac arrest on the morning of Friday, January 13, 2023. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends and send caring thoughts their way. I wish them peace, comfort, courage and love at this time of sorrow.
Mario's easy going personality, infectious laugh, great sense of humour, kindness and generosity attracted many loyal friends to his side. Much of his time was spent listening to and collecting music, which was his second greatest love, after his cherished cat Tigey. He was very knowledgeable about all genres of music and and loved his job spinning vinyl at the club.
We became fast friends as our paths crossed in 1983 while working at Montreal's infamous punk and alternative club, Les Foufounes Électriques, Mario as one of the first DJs to spin and myself as a bartender.
In the summer of 2015, the original Foufounes staff and management 'fam' got together for dinner and drinks at a pub in Montreal's East End. We hadn't been in touch with each other for over two decades, so there was a lot of chatter going on!
Later, we headed over to Les Foufes, where we had worked several fun-filled years together. It was quite the party night taking selfies, catching up and meeting the new staff. Everyone had a cracking good time!
╬ Rest in peace dearest Mario
You will be missed by all who knew & loved you
Gros Michel and bro Richard are waiting
for you at 'The Big Door' of heaven! ╬
Mario and Vava
Mario, Francis & Vava
Mario & Francis
Francis & Vava
Mario in the 1980s
These are a few photos of Mario from my personal 1980s archives of the early days at Les Foufounes Électriques! Good times!
At the club
The way we loved him!
Hanging out with friends
at Les Foufounes
Mario's beloved Tigey
Mario at 17 and with long hair
Big thanks to Francis DesRuisseaux for the photos © 2015-2023
'Mario in the 1980s' photos from my personal archives Copyright ©1983-2023
All rights reserved.