Jean Therrien retiring after 46 years at distribution centre

Everyone at the Sillery distribution centre knows Jean Therrien. He’s a senior operator and a pillar of his workplace. After 46 years of service at Sollio Agriculture, Jean is getting ready to retire, leaving behind a place he affectionately calls “my baby.”

When Jean Therrien arrived in Sillery, in the Quebec City area, in 1980, the distribution centre was still just a construction site. He had just returned from his first construction job in Côte-Nord. “I was offered the choice to travel all over and work on other construction projects, or to stay in Sillery,” he says. He chose to stay. “I planted my feet here, and I’m still here!” he adds with a grin.

Jean started his career sweeping floors and unloading railcars, and he quickly climbed up the ranks. “I seized every opportunity,” he says. “I moved from one position to another, which gave me a good understanding of how the entire site operates.” He even became a superintendent for a few years before returning to operations and working with his hands. “Computer screens aren’t for me,” he says, laughing.

Over time, Jean became the kind of colleague who knows the facilities and equipment like the back of his hand and can fill in for just about anyone, in any position.

Always there for his team

Jean’s colleagues describe him as someone who analyzes things thoroughly, who takes the time to think before acting and cares as much about safety as he does about efficiency. “I like a job well done,” he says.

This approach led his boss, Sylvain Leblanc, to entrust him with a special equipment upgrade project. “Over the past year, he’s done some in-depth work that has improved our equipment’s reliability and raised the bar in terms of health and safety,” Leblanc says. “That’s something he can be proud of.”

In addition to his extensive expertise, Jean is known as a dedicated worker who never says no. “I remember one Christmas Eve, I had just started my vacation and had driven three hours to visit my family. My boss called me because there was a problem at the centre, and they needed me. I got back in the car, drove three hours the other way, and went to work,” he says, clearly proud of having been such a reliable employee.

From colleagues to friends

Working in the same place for 46 years is pretty rare. Especially in a distribution centre, where irregular schedules and busy periods are par for the course. Jean stayed so long thanks to his crew on the floor. “I’ve always gotten along well with people, and that makes a big difference in a career,” he says.

His message to younger employees starting out at the distribution centre can be summed up in one word: persevere. “The work isn’t always easy, but time flies faster than you think. Don’t give up.”

Jean will enjoy a well-deserved retirement doing yardwork and spending time with his family. “I won’t be bored in the summer,” he says. However, true to form, he’s leaving the door open to returning to the distribution centre during peak seasons.