(Quebec) The president and CEO of the Grand Théâtre de Québec, Gaétan Morency, died during the night from Friday to Saturday.

The Grand Théâtre made the announcement on its Facebook page on Saturday. Mr. Morency died following a heart attack, it was reported.

“Our first thoughts go to his family and loved ones, but also to our colleagues and members of the board of directors,” underlined the Grand Théâtre de Québec team on its social networks.

“We also offer our most sincere condolences to the many people in the cultural sector with whom Mr. Morency worked during his career,” it was added.

President and CEO of the Grand Théâtre de Québec since 2015, Mr. Morency also worked for SODIC (now SODEC), ADISQ and Cirque du Soleil during his more than 40-year career.

He was notably general director of ADISQ from 1987 to 1991, before spending 20 years at Cirque du Soleil.

“What sad news. I met Gaétan a few weeks ago. He still had a lot of motivation to make our culture shine,” wrote Quebec Minister of Culture Mathieu Lacombe on the social network

“His contribution, particularly to the Cirque, ADISQ and the Grand Théâtre, was remarkable. My thoughts are with his loved ones, a few days before Christmas,” he added.

The mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, spoke of a “great loss for our culture and for our city”.

“Thank you Mr. Morency for always making culture a central and essential element of a healthy society. We will continue to honor your memory by continuing your mission, you can be assured of that,” he mentioned.