Jean Drapeau was known by the nickname “Monsieur Mayor”

Jean Drapeau: Montreal’s Visionary Mayor
Discovered at Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, Montreal

On a recent walk through Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges in Montreal, I discovered the grave of one of Canada’s most influential visionaries—Jean Drapeau.

Often called the “autocratic” mayor by some, Drapeau was a leader who simply got things done. Serving Montreal first from 1954 to 1957, and then from 1960 to 1986, his leadership spanned decades that transformed the city’s identity and infrastructure.

Under his watch, Montreal was gifted its largest urban transit project—the Montréal Metro—still a vital artery for the city today. Drapeau also steered Montreal through two historic events: the 1967 World Expo, a celebration of Canada’s centennial that drew over 50 million visitors, and the 1976 Summer Olympics, a defining moment on the global stage.

Beyond these landmark achievements, “Monsieur Mayor” was instrumental in bringing Major League Baseball to Montreal. He played a key role in the city’s successful bid for an MLB franchise in 1967, which led to the creation of the Montreal Expos, Canada’s first major league baseball team.

Born and raised in Montreal, the lawyer-turned-politician served as the city’s 37th mayor and left an indelible mark on the city he loved.

Jean Drapeau passed away on August 12, 1999, at the age of 83.

1916-1999

Mayor Jean Drapeau is buried a few metres away from Maurice “Rocket” Richard’s family grave.