In 2003, Cormier s best season in Philadelphia, he went 8-0 with a 1.70 ERA. His 84 appearances the following year is a standing Phillies record for left-handers.
A member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, Cormier played twice in the Olympics in 1988 and 2008. He also earned U.S. citizenship in 2004 while he was a member of the Phillies.
In January 2020, Cormier was diagnosed with a tumor in his lungs. He later died of pancreatic cancer.
Cormier is survived by his wife Lucienne, son Justin and daughter Morgan. Funeral arrangements are still pending.
Former teammates and friends remembered Cormier on social media.
Sorry to hear of the passing of one of the first teammates to take me under his wing.RIP Rheal Cormier my prayers go out to ur family and friends! #RIP@Phillies BRETT MYERS MUSIC (@BackWoodRebel39) March 8, 2021