fbpx

Information supplement – IRIS founder Dr. Francis Jean dies

President and founder of IRIS The Visual Group, Dr. Francis Jean, died suddenly yesterday, July 17, in Jasper, Alberta, at the age of 56. Dr. Jean experienced discomfort while cycling in the IRIS Challenge, an activity he created to raise funds for cancer research.

 

In a press release, IRIS officials, naturally in a state of shock, expressed great sadness, describing Dr. Jean as an exceptional leader with a big heart, a passion for life, and remarkable generosity. “Thanks to him, IRIS was built on strong values,” they said.

 

A graduate from McGill University with a bachelor in Neurophysiology and from the University of Montreal with a degree in Optometry, Dr. Francis Jean opened his first practice in 1986 in his hometown of Baie-Comeau, Quebec. He always dreamed of creating the largest network of optometrists, opticians and ophthalmologists in Canada. And he pulled it off brilliantly, by first founding a buying group then adopting the IRIS trademark in 1990.

 

IRIS presently has 166 locations across Canada, with most being in Quebec and in the West, and is starting to expand into the Ontario market, where is has 14 places of business. Its network includes over 238 opticians, 280 optometrists and five ophthalmologists. The group also has two laser surgery clinics, one in Quebec and one in British Columbia. Annual sales in 2012 were $132 million.

 

Dr. Jean is survived by his wife, Denise; his sons, Jonathan and Guillaume, and daughter, Marilanie; his parents; his brother and sister-in-law; and his nieces and nephews.

 

We would like to extend our condolences to his family and friends as well as to the IRIS team. Funeral arrangements are being made in Baie-Comeau, Quebec.

 

For more details, click HERE to read the IRIS press release.

 

Click HERE to read an interview with Dr. Jean, published in the September 2008 issue of Opt!k Magazine, reproduced posthumously.

Featured Posts

Costa logo et photo divers

Costa Sunglasses and PADI Join Forces to Protect What’s Out There

Costa Sunglasses and PADI partner to scale global ocean conservation—uniting divers and advocates to protect marine life and eliminate ocean debris.

Learn More
Optik March-April 2025 Suzanne Sendel article Social influencers

ECPs with a Side Gig – The Power of Social Influencers

Meet the ECPs turning social media into a platform for passion, style, and inspiration. From bold opticians to playful ODs—these influencers lead the way.

Read more
Optik Voila May-June 2025 Marchon Canada Goose GC25600S

Hero Mask by Canada Goose – Where Performance Meets Purpose

Bold, sustainable, and built for action, this SS25 standout adapts with interchangeable temples and a sporty elastic band.

Read more
Silmo 2025 THE PLACE TO BE, TO SEE, TO FORESEE

SILMO Paris 2025 SILMO Next : The Visionary Initiative that Thinks About Tomorrow Since Yesterday!

Discover SILMO Next 2025—an innovation hub with visionary design, smart tech, and insights that will shape the future of optics. Live at SILMO Paris.

Read more
Université de Montréal logo

More Than Half of Quebec Optometry Clinics Decline Emergency Appointments for New Patients

New study shows over 50% of Quebec optometry clinics decline emergency visits for new patients, raising concerns about access to urgent eye care.

Read more
Costa logo et photo divers

Costa Sunglasses and PADI Join Forces to Protect What’s Out There

Costa Sunglasses and PADI partner to scale global ocean conservation—uniting divers and advocates to protect marine life and eliminate ocean debris.

Learn More
Optik March-April 2025 Suzanne Sendel article Social influencers

ECPs with a Side Gig – The Power of Social Influencers

Meet the ECPs turning social media into a platform for passion, style, and inspiration. From bold opticians to playful ODs—these influencers lead the way.

Read More
Optik Voila May-June 2025 Marchon Canada Goose GC25600S

Hero Mask by Canada Goose – Where Performance Meets Purpose

Bold, sustainable, and built for action, this SS25 standout adapts with interchangeable temples and a sporty elastic band.

Read More
Silmo 2025 THE PLACE TO BE, TO SEE, TO FORESEE

SILMO Paris 2025 SILMO Next : The Visionary Initiative that Thinks About Tomorrow Since Yesterday!

Discover SILMO Next 2025—an innovation hub with visionary design, smart tech, and insights that will shape the future of optics. Live at SILMO Paris.

Read More
Université de Montréal logo

More Than Half of Quebec Optometry Clinics Decline Emergency Appointments for New Patients

New study shows over 50% of Quebec optometry clinics decline emergency visits for new patients, raising concerns about access to urgent eye care.

Read More
Costa logo et photo divers

Costa Sunglasses and PADI Join Forces to Protect What’s Out There

Costa Sunglasses and PADI partner to scale global ocean conservation—uniting divers and advocates to protect marine life and eliminate ocean debris.

Learn More
Optik March-April 2025 Suzanne Sendel article Social influencers

ECPs with a Side Gig – The Power of Social Influencers

Meet the ECPs turning social media into a platform for passion, style, and inspiration. From bold opticians to playful ODs—these influencers lead the way.

Read more
Optik Voila May-June 2025 Marchon Canada Goose GC25600S

Hero Mask by Canada Goose – Where Performance Meets Purpose

Bold, sustainable, and built for action, this SS25 standout adapts with interchangeable temples and a sporty elastic band.

Read more
Silmo 2025 THE PLACE TO BE, TO SEE, TO FORESEE

SILMO Paris 2025 SILMO Next : The Visionary Initiative that Thinks About Tomorrow Since Yesterday!

Discover SILMO Next 2025—an innovation hub with visionary design, smart tech, and insights that will shape the future of optics. Live at SILMO Paris.

Read more
Université de Montréal logo

More Than Half of Quebec Optometry Clinics Decline Emergency Appointments for New Patients

New study shows over 50% of Quebec optometry clinics decline emergency visits for new patients, raising concerns about access to urgent eye care.

Read more
Costa logo et photo divers

Costa Sunglasses and PADI Join Forces to Protect What’s Out There

Costa Sunglasses and PADI partner to scale global ocean conservation—uniting divers and advocates to protect marine life and eliminate ocean debris.

Learn More
Optik March-April 2025 Suzanne Sendel article Social influencers

ECPs with a Side Gig – The Power of Social Influencers

Meet the ECPs turning social media into a platform for passion, style, and inspiration. From bold opticians to playful ODs—these influencers lead the way.

Read more
Optik Voila May-June 2025 Marchon Canada Goose GC25600S

Hero Mask by Canada Goose – Where Performance Meets Purpose

Bold, sustainable, and built for action, this SS25 standout adapts with interchangeable temples and a sporty elastic band.

Read more
Silmo 2025 THE PLACE TO BE, TO SEE, TO FORESEE

SILMO Paris 2025 SILMO Next : The Visionary Initiative that Thinks About Tomorrow Since Yesterday!

Discover SILMO Next 2025—an innovation hub with visionary design, smart tech, and insights that will shape the future of optics. Live at SILMO Paris.

Read more
Université de Montréal logo

More Than Half of Quebec Optometry Clinics Decline Emergency Appointments for New Patients

New study shows over 50% of Quebec optometry clinics decline emergency visits for new patients, raising concerns about access to urgent eye care.

Read more