Philippe II de Gaspé Beaubien R.I.P. 1928 – 2025

Charismatic entrepreneur Philippe de Gaspé Beaubien was ‘Mayor of the Fair’ at Expo 67
Fred Langan
After Philippe II de Gaspé Beaubien left Telemedia, he and his wife set up the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation, which has a division that advises family businesses on succession.
(Globe & Mail) Philippe de Gaspé Beaubien was known as the “Mayor of the Fair” at Expo 67, the hugely successful world’s fair held in Montreal in 1967 to celebrate Canada’s 100th birthday. Mr. Beaubien, who died at his home in Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains on April 9 at the age of 97, was lured away from his entrepreneurial life at 35 to become the event’s director of operations.
When he started, it wasn’t certain that Expo 67 would be ready on time. There were federal politicians who weren’t keen on it, including Walter Gordon, finance minister in Lester Pearson’s cabinet. Even Mr. Beaubien’s own father predicted the fair would never open.
“The islands will float down the St. Lawrence River to Sorel,” said the father, also named Philippe, with whom the son had a rocky relationship.
At the time, the younger Mr. Beaubien seemed like the perfect catch: flawless in French and English, a Harvard MBA, a self-confident extrovert with movie star good looks. He never disappointed the people who hired him, and he became part of a group known as the Big Five, the men who built and ran what is now generally seen as the most successful world’s fair of the 20th century.
“He was the public face of Expo,” said John Lownsbrough, who interviewed Mr. Beaubien extensively for his 2012 book The Best Place to Be: Expo 67 and Its time. “He was a man who was very cultivated in his appearance. I was expecting someone a little bit more austere, but he had real warmth, which is why he got along with people. He was one of nature’s aristocrats, and a super salesman.”
One of Mr. Beaubien’s first assignments was going to Paris as part of the Expo 67 delegation to convince the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the body governing official world exhibitions, that the Montreal site would be ready on time.
… While he was in Paris he had another task: interview the woman who would receive the world leaders, from the Shah of Iran to Emperor of Japan, to the fair. That woman was Krystyne Romer, a Polish immigrant to Montreal who spoke five languages and had diplomatic experience in Paris.
Now Krystyne Griffin, she ran the diplomatic receptions at the pavilion on Île Sainte-Hélène, which Mr. Beaubien always attended as well.
“He was a global person, always in a good mood and the best PR person you could ever find,” Ms. Griffin said. Her day started at 7:30 in the morning and more than once she found Mr. Beaubien asleep in the VIP pavilion after working late into the night.
“Philippe was my boss for the final two years I worked at Expo 67,” said Diana Thébaud Nicholson, who worked in public relations promoting the fair starting in 1963. Among other things, she trained the first hostesses. She worked as one of his two executive assistants and helped write the final report after the fair closed. “His legacy includes a brilliant career in business and philanthropy and a much-admired nurturing of the family he adored. But for many of the older generation he will always be the flamboyant, exuberant Expo 67 Mayor of the Fair.”

Philippe II de Gaspé Beaubien
1928 – 2025

MONTREAL, April 10, 2025 – The family of well-known family man, entrepreneur and philanthropist Philippe II de Gaspé Beaubien is deeply saddened to announce his death on April 9, 2025.
He passed away peacefully at his home in the Laurentians at the age of 97, after a life devoted to family, friends, community, meaningful work and deep spirituality
Philippe II de Gaspé Beaubien marked Montreal, Quebec and Canada’s history in many ways for more than 50 years. As Director of Operations for the iconic Montreal Expo 1967 World’s Fair, this creative visionary ensured the event’s international success.
In 1968, he took over the management of Telemedia, a conglomerate of radio and television stations that would continue to grow. By 2000, Telemedia consisted of 26 radio stations, 17 magazines and 24 weekly newspapers across Canada.
A keen philanthropist, in 1990 he and his wife and life partner, Nan-b, created the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation, which launched the Institute for Family Enterprise with the aim of securing the future of families in business and their businesses. The family business centres expanded across Canada and then worldwide. Starting in 2012, they and their grandchildren created AquaAction, an organization whose mission is to protect freshwater in North America so that it is accessible to all, clean, abundant and managed with sustainable solutions based on technology and the talent of young entrepreneurs,
“My father’s leadership helped shape modern Quebec and Canada, and his influence was felt well beyond our borders. He leaves behind not only a legacy of visionary accomplishments in business and philanthropy, but also a lifetime of unforgettable memories for us, his family. He was a devoted family man whose boundless energy and passion touched everything he built — and everyone he met.  He has left an indelible mark on all who knew him and he shall forever live within our hearts,” says François de Gaspé Beaubien.

A private ceremony for family and friends will be held at a later date, while the place and date of the funeral will be announced as soon as possible. A testimonial book is available on the Foundation’s website: www.fondationdegaspebeaubien.org/en/submit-tribute/

Philippe II de Gaspé Beaubien n’est plus
En 1990, l’entrepreneur a créé avec son épouse Nan-b la Fondation de Gaspé Beaubien, qui soutient la préservation de l’eau, l’entrepreneuriat et le développement communautaire.
Son fils François de Gaspé Beaubien a souligné la contribution de son père au Québec et au Canada.
« Il nous laisse non seulement un héritage d’accomplissements visionnaires dans les affaires et la philanthropie, mais aussi une vie entière de souvenirs inoubliables pour nous tous, sa famille », a-t-il déclaré par communiqué.

Désirée McGraw
Québec MNA for NDG and Official critic for Social Economy, Community action // Députée de NDG, Porte-parole en matière d’Économie sociale, solidarité sociale et action communautaire. Lifelong climate champion.
I had the distinct privilege of working with the de Gaspé Beaubien family and their foundation. Their infectious energy, unwavering entrepreneurial spirit, and deep commitment to protecting Canada’s freshwater resources truly inspired me.
My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones, who I know will continue to honour and amplify his remarkable legacy for generations to come.
J’ai eu le grand privilège de collaborer avec la remarquable famille de Gaspé Beaubien et leur fondation. Leur énergie contagieuse, leur esprit entrepreneurial inébranlable et leur engagement profond envers la protection des eaux douces du hashtag#Canada m’ont profondément inspirée.
J’offre mes plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux proches de Philippe II de Gaspé Beaubien. Je suis convaincue qu’ils continueront à faire rayonner son précieux héritage pour les générations à venir.