An individual well-known to long-time residents of the West Nipissing region has passed away. Gaetan Serre, the father of Nickel Belt MP Marc Serre passed away on Friday and will be buried this morning. Serre was 79. He was born in Sturgeon Falls and was a professor before turning his attention to federal politics. He served one term as the Liberal MP for Nickel Belt in 1968 when Pierre Trudeau first became Prime Minister. Gaetan Serre was married to Jeannine Serre for 51 years. In a Facebook post, Marc Serre says he admired and respected his dad adding he sacrificed a lot for his family and community. Serre says his father made a real difference, something he says he will strive to also do. Serre`s funeral is at 11:00am this morning in Field at Notre Dame des Victoires.