15. Edmond Arsenault

During the war, on 7 April 1942, Edmond married Virginie Gallant, daughter of Marin Gallant, local member of the Legislative Assembly, and Marie-Rose Arsenault. After the war they settled in Wellington. Edmond had by now acquired carpentry skills and so began a long career in the construction business. Many homes and commercial buildings in the Evangeline and surrounding areas were built by him. It is interesting to note that he was responsible for the supervision of the construction of the Evangeline Regional High School in 1960. He even worked as a carpenter and foreman in Labrador for a few summers.

Edmond has distinguished himself by being very involved and committed to his community. Being a war veteran, he was very much involved in the Wellington branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was also a trustee of the Wellington French school and a founding member of the Evangeline Regional School Board. He is the one who suggested that the new regional high school be named "Evangeline". Edmond also played a role on the Wellington Village Commission, the local fireman brigade, the emergency measures © organization and was involved in the local organization of the Liberal party.

By the time he retired, Edmond had become very interested in gardening and had one of the best gardens around. He even grew a 2 lb onion! He was well known for his delicious homebrew and men and women alike enjoyed it. He even once served some to a nun, much to his wife's horror.

After 55 years of marriage, Virginia passed away on 29 November 1996. Edmond later moved to a local home for independent seniors, Le Chez-Nous, in Wellington.

Children:

1)Anita (19 December 1942) married John Gates on 23 February 1963. Address: Penticton, B.C. Children:

a) Stephen (23 December 1963) married Yoshie Omura on 8 June 1996. Address: Nakamura, Japan.

b) Nancy (14 February 1966) married Colm Murphy on 13 August 1994. Children: Joshua (8 September 1996). Address: Burnaby, B.C.

2) Roger (12 April 1944) married Réjeanne Couture on 4 September 1965. Address: Niagara Falls, Ontario. Child:

a) Michel (8 July 1966) married Cheryl Nicholson on 21 September 1991. Child: Cameron (12 November 1995). Address: Hamilton, Ontario.

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