Hundreds bid farewell to iconic Expos commentator Rodger Brulotte

Hundreds of people gathered on April 11, 2026, for legendary Montreal Expos announcer Rodger Brulotte.

The funeral of baseball commentator Rodger Brulotte was held on Saturday morning in Sainte-Thérèse, in Quebec’s Lower Laurentians.

Hundreds of people gathered inside the Church of Sainte-Thérèse-d’Avila for this final tribute, including Ministers Isabelle Charest, Pascale Déry and Donald Martel, as well as several other public figures.

His wife, Pascale Vallée, delivered a moving eulogy.

Former RDS sports commentator Claude Mailhot and Pierre Karl Péladeau, CEO of Quebecor and TVA Sports, also spoke.

The iconic figure of baseball and the media passed away from cancer on March 20, aged 79.

Known for his famous phrase “Bonsoir, elle est partie!,” Brulotte began working for the Expos organization right from the start in 1969. During his time with the team, he was notably involved in the creation of the mascot “Youppi!.”

After leaving the Expos, Brulotte enjoyed a long career in the media, where he provided commentary on Expos and Major League Baseball matches across radio, television and print media. He commentated on Expos and Major League Baseball matches on radio at CKAC, then on television at RDS and TVA Sports, as well as writing various columns in `Le Journal de Montréal’ and the `Journal de Québec’.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 11, 2026.