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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Louis Michaud, age 84, on October 26, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Hospice in Sarnia, Ontario, after a brief illness with cancer.
Louis was the beloved husband of Suzanne (née Lagacé) for 58 years. He was a devoted father to Eric (Nicole), Pascale (Jim) and Julie, and a cherished Grandpapa to Madeleine, Philippe, Sophie and Vincent. He will also be remembered with love by his sisters Cécile and Yvette. Louis was predeceased by his parents Benoît and Béatrice (née Clapperton) Michaud and his brother Pierre.
Louis was born in Campbellton, New Brunswick. He learned resilience at an early age. After losing his father at a young age, his mother returned to nursing and he attended several boarding schools. It was there that Louis found comfort and inspiration in books. His passion for reading remained with him throughout his life.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Nova Scotia Technical College in 1962, Louis proudly served in the Canadian Navy for three years and studied meteorology as a naval officer. His early career took him to Alcan in Arvida, Quebec and Price Paper in Kénogami, Quebec. He then spent 10 years in Heavy Water Production at the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant on the eastern shores of Lake Huron near Port Elgin, Ontario. Louis concluded his professional journey with a rewarding 26-year tenure as a process control engineer at Imperial Oil in Sarnia, Ontario.
Louis was a man of ideas whose curious mind never rested. In his spare time, he pursued the development of the Atmospheric Vortex Engine, an invention he dreamed would harness the power of a man-made tornado to produce clean energy. Louis’ innovative ideas were featured in media around the world, including the Toronto Star, The Atlantic, The Economist, Scientific American and the National Geographic Channel. His tornado machine even inspired a syndicated comic strip, a chapter in the book Mad like Tesla, and a British musical called In The Eye of the Storm.
Louis was happiest in nature, whether cycling to pick up groceries or swimming in the waters of Lake Huron, where he swam regularly until this past July. Wherever he and Suzanne lived, they treasured the friendships they made, and they were grateful to find new family everywhere they went.
Cremation has taken place. The Catholic memorial service will be celebrated on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 11:00am at Smith Funeral Home – London Line Chapel – 1576 London Line, Sarnia. A reception will be held at the Family Centre immediately following the service.
The family would like to thank the caring staff at Bluewater Health and St. Joseph’s Hospice who took wonderful care of Louis in his final days. Special thanks to Dr. Lilly and Dr. Lebert for their compassion and gentle counsel.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Louis can be made to St. Joseph’s Hospice Sarnia-Lambton (cheques only at the funeral home please).
