“He was courageous, never complained… he was forward…” testifies Monique, wife of Michel Cordonnier, deceased of cancer at the age of 73, Monday December 23. Mayor of Gournay-sur-Aronde from 1989 to 2008, he made a career atCompiègne University of Technology. Michel was the son of Jacques Cordonnier, former mayor of Ribécourt-Dreslincourt from 1971 to 1977.
His funeral takes place on Friday December 28 at 2 p.m. in the church of Gournay-sur-Aronde.
It was in Ribécourt-Dreslincourt that Michel Cordonnier grew up, fourth of the five children of Jacques and Madeleine, who ran the local pharmacy. He went to Lycée Calvin, where he met his wife Monique, and then joined UTC in 1973. The year this prestigious school in Compiègne was founded.
A professional life at UTC
After completing a state thesis in the field of biotechnology, Michel Cordonnier was hired at UTC. “He will occupy all the positions there,” summarizes his wife Monique, who worked as a psychologist.
He will chair several groups there, aimed at promoting research. The most famous of which will remain Gradient (research and animation group for development, animation and technology). This association aimed to establish bridges between UTC and industries.
Michel Cordonnier also served as treasurer of the Association of Contractual Research Structures. He was also responsible for relations between UTC and local authorities, as part of the CERTE project (European center for technological and environmental research). CERTE’s mission was to carry out tests on industrial risks.
Arrived in Gournay-sur-Aronde “a little by chance”
Monique and Michel settled in Gournay-sur-Aronde “a bit by chance”, she sums up. We were looking for a house and we came across this old coaching inn, which had to be renovated. Even if Michel was not a handyman…”
He became mayor in 1989, before chairing the SIVOM of Ressons-sur-Matz, which would become the Pays des Sources. In the 2008 municipal elections, his town hall secretary ran against him. He was not re-elected. It was that year that he suffered a stroke. “It was terrible for him,” Monique remembers. It deprived him of his ability to speak, while he was giving conferences abroad.”
Cancer after stroke
It was also at this time that cancer would begin to torment him. An illness against which he fought until the end. During this period, Michel Cordonnier often recharged his batteries in his vacation home in Ciboure, along the Basque coast, just before Spain.
“He loved to travel, he was curious… Monique describes him. He was an intellectual and a great humanist. He gave a lot of himself.”
Monique and Michel had three children: Julien, Romain and Maxime. And five grandchildren. “The whole family is arriving for Christmas,” says Monique, who moved with Michel to Compiègne three years ago. We will try to keep smiling, at least for the grandchildren.”
