The Rouge et Or community mourns the loss of Nicholas Perron, who passed away suddenly on September 1, 2025, in Québec at the age of 52. A former Rouge et Or athlete turned coach, Perron spent many years on the Canadian National Team coaching staff for several international meets.
Perron’s ties to Rouge et Or spanned more than three decades. After competing for the Rouge et Or from 1991 to 1996, he returned in 2004 as head coach of the university program and club team. Over the next 15 years, he guided the program to 20 provincial titles (eight men’s, five women’s, seven combined).
His leadership also brought national recognition: in 2007, Rouge et Or women’s team earned a program-best third-place finish at the Canadian University Championships.
His coaching success was well recognized in Canada. Perron was voted as the CIS Women’s Coach of the Year in 2005-2006, Men’s Coach of the Year eight times and the Women’s Coach of the Year four times at the Quebec University level. He was also named Coach of the Year in both 2006 and 2007 by the Quebec Coaches Association.
Perron was also selected to the Canadian Coaching staff for the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and 2014. He was also a part of the national team coaching staff for the Pan Pacific Championships in 2006, 2010, and 2014.
In 2019, after a decade and a half at the helm, Perron stepped down from his position as head coach of the Rouge et Or Swimming Club.
The Rouge et Or community expressed its condolences in a statement on Facebook, writing:
It is with sadness that we learned of the passing of our former head swimming coach, Nicholas Perron.
At the helm of the team for 15 years, he led the Rouge et Or to 20 provincial titles and left a significant legacy to the Club.
The Rouge et Or family offers its sincere condolences to Nicholas Perron’s loved ones.
Funeral services will be held in Québec, with details shared through Lépine Cloutier Funeral Services.
