Osias Ouimet: man of a thousand hats

I really did have a privileged childhood, growing up at the base of the Mont Tremblant slopes. People from all backgrounds and walks of life visited here and colourful, fascinating people worked here.

This month I am going to introduce to you Osias Ouimet, who was nothing more nor less than Mont Tremblant Resort’s man of a thousand hats. The man had a speech handicap: he stuttered. He didn’t speak English, and yet he often had to work with the public, which was largely English-speaking.

Osias was a feel-good kind of guy, charming, and highly loyal to his employers. His role on the mountain was anything but ideal, however: he was the substitute. When a person who was supposed to be working at the arrival point of the T-bars, or at the summit of the chairlifts, didn’t show up for work, Osias got the call.

It was the same thing for an employee missing at the South or North Side parking areas. Osias was the man you could count on and who got down to work fast.

Mr. “Policeman”

To back up his authority in the parking areas, he wore a police officer’s uniform specially made for him. At that time, control of the parking places ran from the little chapel to the chalet des voyageurs, which was located at thespot where you now enter the Place Saint-Bernard, just by Fat Mardis.

There was always congestion, particularly on weekends. Towards 11 a.m. the vehicular congestion would overwhelm the goodwill of Osias and tensions would mount.

With his particular brand of English, his jovial personality and his highly personalized sense of humour, Osias managed to control a delicate situation in a way that kept his customers happy.

When Mr. “Policeman” pointed a customer to a less desirable parking spot, a friendly little tip moved him to suddenly direct his client to a more interesting spot. The customer felt important because he had influenced a “policeman”, and Osias had money for a beer.

The little exchange was an open secret. The boss knew about the small sleight of hand because Osias boasted about it after having enjoyed his beer.

When the party really got going

Osias was also the man behind the era’s mascot, Onésime: a moose with a huge set of antlers. Onésime appeared at the resort’s major events, whether a ski competition, Santa Claus parade, private party or “tape-cul race” (Google it for a 1987 video on Facebook!).

At day’s end, employees organized a tape-culcompetition to wind up the day. The South Side employees were pitted against the North Side employees and Onésime (Osias) was the official referee. The hotel guests, intrigued, checked out the event. Some daring souls even participated in the race and the party really took off.

And all the other jobs…

The resort opened in 1939, so the kitchen and bar equipment were not terrifically sophisticated. To keep the food fresh, a huge shed was used as an icebox. The ice came from Lac Tremblant and the person in charge of procurement was Paul Émile Léonard.

If a man was missing, Osias was the backup and, armed with a box saw, he would cut the blocks of ice.

The real McCoy

Osias was also responsible for the stable. Tremblant Lodge placed 15 or so horses at the disposal of its guests for rides in the mountains and around the lakes. There were also work horses on the premises.

During school holidays, I spent a lot of time with Osias at the stable. My responsibilities included cleaning boxes, waxing saddles and brushing horses. My reward, because I was bilingual, was to accompany the customers on the rides.

I rode Mrs. Ryan’s horse, Blondie. It had the same name as my cocker spaniel, who also came along on the ride. I felt like the real thing: a cowboy with my horse and my dog.

To my recollection, Osias never missed a day of work. His personality and perseverance influenced me deeply. He showed me how every person can create their own path by concentrating on their strengths…in his case, despite a handicap.

By the same author: Jean Fleurent, the guy for the big jobs (Click the image below)