Sensei Claude Berthiaume Shihan
To our dear Aikido de la Montagne community
We are immensely saddened to announce the passing of Claude Berthiaume Shihan, our beloved chief instructor. Claude Sensei passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23 at 1:32pm, surrounded by his family and loved ones
We as a community have benefited immensely from Claude Sensei’s teachings and constant presence at the dojo. He will be greatly missed by many of us. Should you wish to express your sympathies or share your testimony, we will advise you shortly of means to do so
From the day that Claude Sensei discovered aikido in 1971, at the age of 17, until his last aikido seminar, on Saturday, January 24, 2026, he never stopped practicing his art, and he seized every opportunity to share his passion for it, in Montreal, in Canada, and around the world
Claude Sensei expressed himself fully on the mat. That’s where he invited us all, students and instructors, one class at a time for more than 50 years, to learn to be ourselves, to discover our potential, to embrace our peculiarities, to evolve through interaction, and, above all, to grow into a strong community
Over the decades, Aikido de la Montagne has made a name for itself as a reputable dojo in aikido as well as in iaido. Claude Sensei’s wish is for his dojo to continue to exist for many years to come, and for us to maintain his passion alive, with joy, here at the foot of the mountain
Claude Sensei passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23 at 1:32pm at Saint-Eustache Hospital, surrounded by his family and loved ones
Claude Berthiaume Shihan
November 10, 1953 – March 23, 2026
Board of Directors, Aikido de la Montagne
