The Sudbury mining community has lost one of its own, following the death of André Ruest, vice-president of operations at B&D Manufacturing.
Ruest died on Nov. 19 at Sudbury’s Health Sciences North, surrounded by family, following a year-long battle with cancer.
In a statement celebrating Ruest’s career, he’s described as leaving “an incredible legacy” at B&D, where he was the company’s first full-time employee in 1980.
“Under André’s leadership from 1997 to 2014, B&D Manufacturing diversified and consistently reached new levels and new audiences,” reads the statement. “He developed the company’s presence internationally, successfully on-boarding distributors around the globe.”
B&D Manufacturing designs and manufactures equipment for industries around the globe, in addition to providing custom design, fabrication and manufacturing, on-site repair, and rebuild services.
The company was named Business of the Year at the Northern Ontario Business Awards in 2012.
An advocate for B&D Manufacturing and for the North, Ruest was dedicated to many community initiatives and organizations, including eight years sitting on the board of the Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA) and a seat on Collège Boréal’s Board of Governors from 2006 to 2012.
In memory of Ruest, and Gerald Dubois, who founded B&D, a bursary has been set up at Collège Boréal to assist students attending mining-related programs. The bursary will be awarded to students studying in the mechanical, heavy equipment mechanic, machinist and mechanical engineering programs.
Visitors to the college website can access the donations page here: www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/fondation-du-college-boreal.
“André’s vision and his values will continue to push B&D Manufacturing forward, to new opportunities, looking ahead to a bigger picture as he’s always done,” reads the statement. “He will be dearly missed.”
A service commemorating Ruest’s life will be held at St. Jean de Brebeuf Church in Sudbury on Saturday, Nov. 28.
