Robert (Bob) Arel, the influential and avidly-read harness racing columnist for daily newspaper Le Journal de Montréal for three decades, passed in a hospital in Granby, Québec, this week after a long illness. He was 87.
Arel covered horse racing at Blue Bonnets until his retirement, which preceded the track's 2009 demise by a few years. He was also a television analyst for the Montréal races and, at one point, even served as backup race announcer.
"Without doubt, he left his mark on the history of Blue Bonnets," longtime colleague Andre Rousseau commented on his website, noting that Arel also had been one of the pioneers of the newspaper's union.
Arel is survived by his wife, Claudette; children Alain, Gilbert and Josee, and their spouses and children; as well as a sister, Louise Lefebvre.
Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 19, from 1:30 to 3:45 p.m. at Complexe Funeraire Girardot & Menard, 470 Dufferin, Granby, with a brief tribute to follow at 4 p.m.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the friends and family of Robert Arel.
(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Paul Delean)
Ça nous rend nostalgique. Bob
Ça nous rend nostalgique. Bob a connu le meilleur des courses à BB. Condoléances à la famille.
Sorry to hear of Bob's
Sorry to hear of Bob's passing. Spent many a fine evenings and Sunday afternoons at BB in Bob's company. Gentleman and class are the first words that come to mind, when thinking of Bob Arel.