Ontario Risk and Insurance Management Society
(ORIMS)

Sharing with profound sadness the news of Joseph Restoule’s recent passing. 

Joe was a preeminent risk professional who dedicated much of his career to uniting Canada’s risk community.  In his words, “If you ever get to meet me, you will find out that I am a really enthusiastic person when it comes to our profession.”  So true. So Joe!  He was always ready to lend a hand, an ear, or an idea. Gone too soon and forever missed.  

Former RIMS President Nowell Seaman (of Saskatchewan) has written the following tribute honoring Joe.

On Friday March 29, 2024, the RIMS community lost a beloved friend and colleague when Joe Restoule passed away after a courageous battle with an illness.

For over three decades, Joe Restoule was an outstanding leader and passionate builder of the Society. He was RIMS President in 2009 and served on the RIMS Board and Executive (2001-2010). He was past chair of the RIMS Canada Council (1997-2000), and a founder and President of the William H. McGannon Foundation, a charity supporting post-secondary risk management education and research in Canada. 

Joe was highly esteemed as a strategic visionary and expert throughout the energy, insurance and risk management industries internationally. He was a risk management leader at Nova Chemicals Corporation for over 20 years, and involved in advisory bodies over the years, including chair of the American Gas Association Risk Management Committee (1997-98) and Aegis International Risk Management Advisory Committee. Following his retirement from Nova, he became an advisor and consultant to many major infrastructure and other projects in North America. He played a key role in developing RIMS’ strategic and enterprise risk management practice, advancing RIMS’ international presence, and supporting the development of tools such as the RIMS’ Professional Growth Model, Core Competency Model to help the careers of thousands of risk management practitioners worldwide.          

Those who knew Joe will remember his warm personality, the twinkle in his eye, his intellectual curiosity, wonderful sense of humour and hearty laugh. He generously shared his time and wisdom to inspire students in risk management and insurance, and supported them through McGannon Foundation scholarships and the student involvement program, and encouraging the advancement of formal educational programs in the discipline at colleges and universities across Canada.   

He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, RIMS staff, RIMS Canada, the Southern Alberta Chapter of RIMS, and RIMS members and associates far and wide.

Please share with your Chapter membership.

Jacqueline

RIMS Canada Chair / Présidente

JACQUELINE TOERING