| Notes |
- Jean Gamache hangs his ribbon
Marie-France Letourneau
MARIE-FRANCE LETOURNEAU
The Voice of the East
He has "dressed" prominent politicians, radio hosts, lawyers and financiers. Granbyen tailor Jean Gamache is now ready to hang his tape measure after a fascinating career spanning nearly 60 years.
On June 1, he will close his boutique on rue Principale which is full of souvenirs and will undertake a new stage in his life, alongside his faithful accomplice and spouse, Diane Martel, who has been accompanying him for more than 40 years and takes care of of female customers.
In the meantime, he is busy responding to several of his customers who want a last suit, or even a last shirt, from the Gamache suit. ?It's very emotional,? he told La Voix de l'Est .
"I had an incredible career, just with a seventh year of elementary school," launches, with a touch of pride, the one who represents the third generation of tailors in his family.
Incredible is surely an apt qualifier. Because Jean Gamache had privileged access to several personalities from here and elsewhere. His creations have been worn by, among others, the world-renowned Canadian architect, Moshe Safdie, former Prime Minister Lucien Bouchard, host Paul Arcand, journalist Gérald Fillion, Pierre-Karl Péladeau, brothers Claude and Guy Fournier and , at another time, the former mayor of Granby, Pierre-Horace Boivin.
Friendship
Several of his clients have become friends over the years - and some suits. This is among others the case of the former deputy and radio columnist, the late Jean Lapierre. ?I started dressing him when he became a Member of Parliament at age 24 and I continued,? he recalls.
Jean Lapierre is also one of those, with the couple formed by Claude Fournier and Marie-José Raymond, who opened the doors to several law firms and Montreal financiers.
Twice a week, the 72-year-old tailor, always dressed to the nines, still goes to downtown Montreal where he tours his customers for measurements, adjustments or delivery of clothes. requested.
Jean Gamache could have left Granby to practice his art elsewhere. But he chose to stay in the century-old house on rue Principale where his father moved in 1952 and where his studio is located, but also his personal quarters, upstairs.
He worked there tirelessly and without counting the hours, six days a week. He never sought to collect ?prestigious? clients, even if they quickly adopted him and circulated his name in their circle. Jean Gamache also insists on the fact that he also has several clients who are not public figures.
Play outside
It is not so surprising that the Granbyen tailor has enjoyed such popularity. Her energy is contagious. ?I love the world,? he says. If he did this job, it is also to be loved in return, he confides. Today he knows he has achieved his goal. And he is delighted to have met people who have helped him to find his way. ?On my own, I wouldn't have been able. I am very shy, ?he says.
The shy man nevertheless had a blast on stage a few times in Granby as part of the late Affairistique shows. Among other things, he played the barber of Seville with his friend Guy Vincent. "This is what made me trip the most outside of my job," he livens up.
Starting in June, Jean Gamache's schedule will be freer, even if he has decided to play mentors with one of his employees, David Irankunda. He thus intends to "play outside", a pleasure that he has not given himself often. He is interested in golf, biking and snowshoeing on snow.
He also wants to go fishing with one of his sons, Jean-Sébastien, who represents the fourth generation of tailors among the Gamaches, while he is located on St-Hubert Street in Montreal. ?And he's quite a tailor,? says his father with pride.
Play mentors
Once his workshop is closed, Jean Gamache will put his expertise to the benefit of David Irankunda, a young tailor from Burundi who has worked for him for over a year.
The renowned Granbyen tailor will thus provide him with a space behind his premises which is located on rue Principale. Important detail: the front space of this room will however have a new vocation, while Mr. Gamache says he has signed a lease. A new business, the nature of which is not specified at present, will open its doors there. ?He (David Irankunda) does not have the means by leaving to have a storefront. But I'm proud to leave it. There is no other tailor in Granby. I will present it to the houses of fabrics, linings. I'm going to open doors for him, give him a hand, ?says Jean Gamache.
Long hours
His protégé will thus have access to his patterns and other essential accessories for the practice of his profession.
Loyal customers of Jean Gamache who will dial the telephone number used by the tailor for decades will now be able to do business with Mr. Irankunda, who has lived in Granby for two years and has three children.
?I'm so happy to be able to count on Mr. Gamache. I did this job for a long time in Africa, but I improved a lot of things with it, ?says the young tailor.
Jean Gamache affirms that his protégé knows how to sew. And he is doing it well. The only thing he needs to improve is his fluency in French.
He's already prepared him to work long hours. ?This job is not done any faster than in my grandfather's time. We have the same tools. The only improvement there has been is the steam iron, ?he says.
The transition to retirement will be smooth for the tailor since he intends to share the tricks of the trade and, why not, to come and greet his clients and friends on occasion, since he will continue to live upstairs.
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