Mississauga, ON — Longtime harness racing industry participant Benoit Frenette, of Laval, Quebec, passed away on Jan. 6 at the age of 60.

Mr. Frenette was involved in racing from a young age, starting in 1977, as the son of the late Jean-Louis Frenette, former handicapper at Blue Bonnets (later Hippodrome de Montreal) for many years. He eventually made his way into the race office as the race secretary at the legendary Montreal racetrack. Just before the track closed, he moved to Aylmer and then to Rideau Carleton Raceway, where he also performed race secretary duties.

After the race office at Rideau closed, Mr. Frenette stayed involved in the industry as a judge for both the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and RACJ in Quebec.

Mr. Frenette joined the American Harness Racing Secretaries Inc. in 2005, attending many of the annual stakes scheduling meetings over the years. According to his biography, he cited his father as his mentor and inspiration, and his education as the “School of Life.”

Mr. Frenette is survived by his partner of the past 30 years, Sylvie L’Ecuyer; children, Isabelle and Sebastien Nathan-Frenette; grandchildren, Trystan and Lory; sister, Sylvie (Michel); brother-in-law, Claude (Johanne); relatives and friends. The family will receive condolences at the Mausolée St-Martin (back building) of the funeral complex Alfred Dallaire-Memoria, 2159 St-Martin E., Laval, QC (514-277-7778) on Friday, Jan. 27, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. A celebration of life will follow at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Quebec Cancer Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.