Our Story
Lakeshore Cardinal Funeral Home The Original Since 1958
We provide care and support during life’s most challenging moments.
At Lakeshore Cardinal Funeral Home, we are a family dedicated to serving families with excellence and integrity.
Since 1958, our mission has been to provide compassionate, respectful, and personalized care during life’s most challenging moments. We understand the importance of honoring your loved one’s memory, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
Our Founders: Jean-Joseph & Denise Cardinal
My father, Jean-Joseph Cardinal: Jean-J. obtained his embalmer’s license in 1958 and could proudly say he had embalmed Premier Maurice Duplessis in 1959, while working in Quebec City. He was city councillor in Dorval from 1978 to1980. An accomplished businessman, he successfully ran the Dorval head office before buying an abandoned garage in Lachine, which he would turn into the Lachine branch of J.J. Cardinal.
My mother, Denise Descary Cardinal: A descendent of Dorval’s Descary and Décary families, she was part of the Victorian Order of Nurses and, with her trained voice, was the choir director of Ensemble vocal Dorval for more than 20 years. Denise supported Jean-J. through all his endeavours, including the funeral home. Her interior designer’s touch is still visible, making the families feel at home.
Over 60 Years of Tradition in
Dorval, QC
Building a Lasting Institution
The building housing the funeral home at 560 Lakeshore dates back to 1948. In 1958, it was transformed into a funeral home to serve the Dorval community, as Lakeshore Funeral Home Inc.
My parents bought out the funeral home in 1973, and immediately set out to double its size to feature two large viewing rooms, a smoking room, a garage, as well as other amenities. At the time, our family lived upstairs from the funeral home. My sister Julie and I had a lot of fun sliding down the snow hill from the filtration plant on our Crazy Carpets.
In 1977, Jean-J. balked tradition by adopting dark blue for his vehicles and pallbearers’ uniforms.
A few years later, my parents renamed the company “Lakeshore Cardinal Inc.”
In 1987, the upstairs was converted into a new chapel, followed by the addition of our first reception room in 1990.
Our founder Jean-J. Cardinal passed away in 2000. His funeral was held at La Présentation-de-la-Sainte-Vierge Church, where he had served as funeral director for so many clients previously. He was then laid to rest in the family plot at Dorval Cemetery.
A Family Tradition, Carried Forward
I had been practising law for 16 years in 2003 when my family and I agreed I should join the team at the funeral home, initially as legal counsel and family counsellor, also in charge of prearrangements and logistics. Over the years, I have been a member of the Optimists Club and Kiwanis Club. I have also sat on the board of Dorval-Jean-XXIII secondary school, where my wife Anne-Marie Cuccia and I continue to support various programs, especially the music program. Today it is the pride and joy of both the Marguerite-Bourgeois school board and the Dorval community overall.
Recent history:
In 2010 the residence was once again transformed, with the addition of a chapel-columbarium, a crematorium, and new reception rooms.
In 2016, my sister Julie and I bought the shares from our mother Denise Descary as she entered a well-earned retirement.
My wife Anne-Marie, a teacher and musician by trade, joined the team in 2022. She brought a wealth of musical experience – having played as an organist for Dorval’s Catholic parishes (i.e. St. Veronica’s and La Présentation-de-la-Sainte-Vierge) – and organizational experience from teaching. She excels when it comes to training the team. Her interpersonal skills also make her an excellent family counsellor.
Today, I uphold the Cardinal family values as I manage Lakeshore Cardinal Inc. together with my wife Anne-Marie and daughter Hélène.
Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future
The Third Generation: A Future Built on Experience
We are proud to have our daughter Hélène Cardinal as a member of our team. Through her the company continues on for a third generation and better keeps pace with the times, including technologically. Hélène holds a technical degree in childhood education and has been working with us for eight years. With her training and experience in organizing and coordinating events, she contributes to the quality of our care while making sure our rituals and services to grieving families are meaningful. Hélène also oversees crematorium operations.
Supporting You Through Grief
We offer grief support through various resources, including counseling services, support groups, and educational materials. Additionally, we encourage those of faith to reach out to their religious communities, many of which offer grief counseling and bereavement groups.
We are here to help you navigate this challenging time with compassion