phenomenal educational and social improvement. The transformation that took place in North Rustico during the decade immediately follow- ing 1937 was truly extraordinary, indeed phenomenal?

One of the advantages we have in writing this history of the parish is that

many of the pioneers are still living and we are able to gather eye witness accounts.

Celia Gallant was the first housekeeper and her husband Vincent was the first janitor. Celia writes:

“I, Celia Gallant, was Father McNeill’s first housekeeper and cook, and Vince was caretaker. It was in 1937. While there, a dentist came when need- ed to do the school children’s teeth right in the kitchen. It was a place that was always busy as Father liked company and would take two or three priests for meals and overnight. When we went there first, there were on- ly oil lamps but electricity was put in shortly after. I would say Father was the first one that got Maritime Electric going to have electricity in the village. He also had a cow and hens and we made butter for household

use. While there, a new sunporch was erected and Governor Doiron’s father Dolph helped to build it?’

Father Eric Robin succeeded Father McNeill on June 6, 1948. This good‘ priest was kindness personified. The health of the little ones of his flock was a great concern of his and zeal for their welfare was manifested on every occa- sion that presented itself. In 1952 when sickness kept many pupils at home, it

Fr. Eric Robin

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