Viewfinder offers new perspective
A vibrant tribute to the memory of Dr. Francis Jean
Visitors at the Stutfield Glacier can admire the majesty of the mountains in a new light thanks to the installation of panoramic binoculars on the Icefields Parkway. These binoculars are not just an aesthetic addition but a vibrant tribute to the memory of Dr. Francis Jean, the Optometrist and visionary behind IRIS, Canada's largest network of Optometrists, Opticians and Ophthalmologists.
The story of these binoculars is intimately linked to Dr. Francis Jean, a man whose passion for optometry was matched only by his love for his family and his brother Rémi, who was also taking part in this challenge and a cancer survivor. In July 2024, as he cycled through the beautiful countryside between Vancouver and Jasper to launch the second annual IRIS Challenge to raise funds for cancer research, he tragically succumbed to a heart attack on the Icefields Parkway.
"He passed away doing what he loved, for those he loved, surrounded by the people who mattered most to him," recalls Éric Babin, then Vice-President of Information Technology and now President of IRIS, who worked alongside Dr. Jean for over 20 years. The IRIS challenge was more than just a fundraiser for Dr. Jean: it was also a way of getting closer to his brother Rémi, a passionate cyclist with whom he shared this adventure.
Dr. Jean has demonstrated this devotion on severaloccasions. In 2011, he and his brother Rémi and their childhood friend Gérald Carrier took on the daunting challenge of cycling the miles between Vancouver and his hometown of Baie-Comeau, Quebec. Together, they raised $120,000 for cancer research, a cause close to his heart.
The installation of the panoramic binoculars was made possible by the Friends of Jasper National Park's memorial bench program, which enables families to pay tribute to their loved ones in a lasting and meaningful way. These binoculars, the first of their kind to be installed by the organization, pave the way for new forms of memorials in the park, offering visitors a unique way to connect with nature and the stories that inhabit it.