The CCAE Friend of Education Award honours outstanding service or commitment to post-secondary education by an individual or corporation who make a significant contribution in a leadership role to the cause of institutional advancement or education in Canada.
The 2002 CCAE Friend of Education Award recipient is Raymond (Ray) A. Décarie, Chairman, Affinity Market Group, Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc.
Mr. Décarie was born and educated in Montreal, where he studied at Loyola (Concordia) and McGill (B.Comm., 1966). He joined Meloche Monnex in 1966 and over the next several years he served in various capacities including comptroller, vice-president (finance), executive vice-president and board member. In 1976, he moved to Paris as Managing Director of the Société Générale de Courtage d’ Assurance (S.C.C.A.).
Over his 36 years with Meloche Monnex, Mr. Décarie was a leader in the establishment of group partnerships. He led the affinity market group as Meloche Monnex made its move into the university and college marketplace and formed the strategic direction the company has taken in support of higher education in Canada.
Under his leadership, Meloche Monnex has earned a reputation as the leading provider of advice and assistance in the personal insurance sector for universities and colleges in Canada.
Mr. Décarie was also instrumental in the creation of the Meloche Monnex Fellowship in Alumni Affairs program, a forward-thinking initiative that offers opportunities for training and education in the profession of alumni relations and, in the broader context, institutional advancement.
Mr. Décarie is married to Louise, and has three daughters: Catherine, Isabelle, and Alexandra. He officially retired after a lifetime of service to Meloche Monnex in April 2002.