First supernumerary of Opus Dei in Canada: Orthopedic surgeon who helps clean up a river

From Romana, Bulletin of the Prelature of Opus Dei

André Allaire was born on September 1, 1934 in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada. He was the first Supernumerary of Opus Dei in Canada.

He lived in the Piedmont Student Residence when the Work’s apostolate was taking its first steps in the country. He asked to join Opus Dei on March 19, 1958.

Married and the father of four children, he worked for more than thirty years as an orthopedic surgeon in Drummondville, Quebec. His prestige enabled him to ensure that the hospital where he worked cared for the sick in accord with Christian morality. He carried out an extensive apostolate among his patients (one of whom is now a priest of the Prelature), as well as with his colleagues and friends.

He was also very active in civic affairs. In the 70’s, for example, he headed a committee that solicited the help of many public and private organisms to clean up the river that runs through Drummondville. He continued working until a few weeks before being hospitalized to undergo chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

He was president of various foundations that assisted the apostolates of Opus Dei. He lived his vocation faithfully, and was an example to other Supernumeraries with his constant smile and great determination to fulfill his apostolic assignments.

He died in Montreal on October 30, 2007.