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- Cid, Pierre & Famille
Cid, Pierre & Famille Back to ALL Bios La famille Cid Les ainés de Tadoussac se rappellent pour la plupart le magasin général Cid, situé au centre du village, là où, aujourd’hui se trouve le Café Bohème. Peut-être même quelques-uns ont connu Joseph Cid, le fils de Pierre Cid, fondateur du magasin général du même nom. Pour ma part, quelques lectures historiques captivantes et une réflexion objective m’ont conduits aux propos suivants. Pierre Cid, à son époque, est sans contredit une personne bien connue à Tadoussac et dans les environs. L’histoire locale identifie d’abord le personnage au magasin général, mais aussi au fait de son origine syrienne, pays de l’Asie de l’Ouest. Selon les sources, il y serait né en 1866. Il arrive en sol canadien entre 1894 et 1897, au début de la trentaine. Selon les données du recensement national de 1911, il semble probable qu’il soit arrivé au pays en 1895. Il est alors accompagné de sa femme Halissah, née en 1877, (souvent prénommée Alice, Marie-Alice, Marie-Halisse, ou Alisse) et de deux enfants: Victoria, 6 ans, et Geneviève 5 ans. Selon madame Gaby Villeneuve (Les vieilles familles de Tadoussac, 1850-1950), ils s’installeraient à Québec à leur arrivée au Canada. Pour ce qui est de son pays d’origine présumé, la Syrie, il est à noter qu’à cette époque, soit la fin du 19e siècle, cette région du monde connaît de multiples conflits politiques avec les pays voisins. La France est présente comme état colonisateur et joue un rôle important dans cette région du monde. Cette présence française explique d’ailleurs la nature francophone du Liban et de la Syrie entre autres, depuis de nombreuses années et aujourd’hui encore. Bien entendu les frontières entre le Liban et la Syrie ont varié au cours du 19ièm et du début du 20ièm siècles et certaines villes ou régions se voit ainsi changer de pays. Selon l’avis de décès paru dans le journal L’Action catholique du samedi 20 mars 1948 (Source BANQ), Pierre Cid serait né dans la ville de «Massoun au Liban (Syrie)» en 1866. S’agirait-il de l’actuelle ville de Massoud (Massoudiyeh ou Massoudieh) du district de l’Akkar au nord du Liban? Cette ville est en effet située très près de la frontière entre les deux pays, dans une région montagneuse limitrophe de la Syrie dont Wikipédia relate un exode important de sa population à travers le monde, entre autres vers le Canada. L’hypothèse de cette origine de Pierre Cid semble intéressante. Quoiqu’il en soit, Pierre Cid parle donc français à son arrivée au Canada. Cela facilitera son intégration au Québec rural où il exerce au début, le métier de commerçant itinérant entre Québec et la côte nord (source : Les vieilles familles de Tadoussac, 1850-1950). Après quelques années à parcourir la région de Charlevoix et de Tadoussac, il s’installe dans ce village au début 1900. Ses activités commerciales sont au début assez modestes, à partir d’un petit local situé dans la maison qui deviendra plus tard le magasin général. Après quelques années, les affaires allant assez bien, il achète la maison de son propriétaire et y installe son magasin général. Rapidement Pierre Cid devient une personnalité importante et respectée au village et dans la région. Il collabore à tous les projets de développement et son nom revient fréquemment dans les journaux du Québec de l’époque, le Soleil, la Presse, l’Action catholique et le Quotidien notamment. Au cours des années il fonde une famille imposante avec onze enfants, quatre garçons et sept filles. Malheureusement, en 1917 il perd un fils, Antoine, âgé de 16 ans. Trois autres enfants décèdent aussi en bas âge; deux garçons, Louis-Joseph à l’âge de deux ans (1905), Joseph-Paul à trois ans (1915) et une fille, Marie-Juliette au cours de sa première année en 1915. Ces sépultures sont gravées sur la stèle de Pierre Cid au cimetière ancestral de Tadoussac. Lors du recensement de 1911 (sources retrouvées par monsieur Tom Evans) les enfants identifiés au registre national sont Victoria, l’aînée, qui est née en Syrie le 17 décembre 1892, de même que Geneviève le 16 mars 1893. Suivent par la suite les enfants nés au Québec : Joseph, le 13 janvier 1896 (d’où mon doute sur l’hypothèse de l’arrivée de Pierre Cid au pays en 1897), Antoine le 11 décembre 1900 et décédé en 1917 (sur l’épitaphe il est indiqué 1901 comme date de naissance, alors que le recensement précise qu’il est né en 1900), Alexandra, le 7 juin 1904, Joséphine, le 5 mars 1905, Marie et Antoinette les jumelles, le premier avril 1910. Les enfants ont été éduqués dans la religion catholique comme le laisse présumer les indications dans les journaux. En effet, certaines des filles ont même été novices chez les religieuses, notamment Geneviève (Soeur Marie-du-St-Esprit), Alexandra (Soeur Marie-du-bon-Pasteur) et Antoinette (Soeur Alarie-du-bon-Pasteur). Certains témoins de l’époque prétendent qu’Alexandra et Marie travaillaient avec Joseph au magasin. Marie souffrait, semble-t-il, de la maladie de Parkinson. L’avis de décès d’Alexandra, retrouvé dans le journal le Soleil du 7 novembre 1978, annonce son décès le 6 novembre 1978 à Québec à l’âge de 74 ans. L’a nécrologie relate la présence aux obsèques de Joseph, Joséphine et Marie. Nous n’avons pas trouvé d’autres traces après cette date. Victoria, l’ainée et Antoinette la cadette seront les seuls enfants Cid à se marier. On retrouve l’inscription au registre, le mariage de Victoria, qui épouse le 20 septembre 1920, à Toronto, monsieur John Moses Cooley, fils de James Cooley et de Agnès Clair. Antoinette, après avoir fait des études en soins infirmiers à l’hôpital Ste-Justine de Montréal et pratiqué sa profession quelques années au Québec, quitte le pays pour s’installer à New York. Elle y fait la Rencontre de John David Barr de Baltimore et l’épouse en 1950. Deux ans plus tôt, le 16 mars 1948, sont célébrées à Tadoussac les funérailles de monsieur Pierre Cid, à l’âge vénérable de 82 ans et 5 mois. Quelques années au paravant, Madame Hallissah Cid est décédée, le 26 juillet 1945 à l’âge de 68 ans. Une épitaphe à sa mémoire est inscrite sur une pierre tombale près de la stèle de Pierre Cid. Il n’y aura donc aucun descendant patronyme de Pierre Cid. Y a-t-il des descendants Cid-Cooley en Ontario issus du mariage de Victoria, ou des Cid-Barr aux États-Unis du mariage d’Antoinette? Malheureusement, nous n’en avons pas trouvé de trace, pour l’instant. À suivre, peut-être. Daniel Delisle PhD The Cid family The elders of Tadoussac mostly remember the Cid general store, located in the center of the village, where the Café Bohème is today. Perhaps even a few knew Joseph Cid, the son of Pierre Cid, founder of the general store of the same name. For my part, some fascinating historical readings and objective reflection led me to the following remarks. Pierre Cid, in his time, is undoubtedly a well-known person in Tadoussac and the surrounding area. Local history identifies the character first with the general store, but also with the fact of his Syrian origin, a country in West Asia. According to sources, he was born there in 1866. He arrived on Canadian soil between 1894 and 1897, in his early thirties. According to data from the 1911 national census, it seems probable that he arrived in the country in 1895. He was then accompanied by his wife Halissah, born in 1877, (often named Alice, Marie-Alice, Marie-Halisse, or Alisse ) and two children: Victoria, 6, and Geneviève 5. According to Ms. Gaby Villeneuve (The old families of Tadoussac, 1850-1950), they would settle in Quebec on their arrival in Canada. As for its presumed country of origin, Syria, it should be noted that at this time, the end of the 19th century, this region of the world was experiencing multiple political conflicts with neighboring countries. France is present as a colonizing state and plays an important role in this region of the world. This French presence also explains the French-speaking nature of Lebanon and Syria, among others, for many years and still today. Of course the borders between Lebanon and Syria varied during the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries and some cities or regions are thus seen changing countries. According to the death notice published in the newspaper L'Action catholique on Saturday, March 20, 1948 (Source BANQ), Pierre Cid was born in the town of "Massoun in Lebanon (Syria)" in 1866. Would it be the current city of Massoud (Massoudiyeh or Massoudieh) in the Akkar district in northern Lebanon? This city is indeed located very close to the border between the two countries, in a mountainous region bordering Syria which Wikipedia relates to a significant exodus of its population across the world, among others to Canada. The hypothesis of this Pierre Cid origin seems interesting. In any event, Pierre Cid therefore spoke French when he arrived in Canada. This will facilitate his integration into rural Quebec, where he started out as an itinerant merchant between Quebec and the north coast (source: The old families of Tadoussac, 1850-1950). After a few years traveling the Charlevoix and Tadoussac region, he settled in this village at the beginning of 1900. At the beginning, his commercial activities were quite modest, from a small room located in the house which would later become the general store. After a few years, with business going fairly well, he bought the owner's house and set up his general store there. Pierre Cid quickly became an important and respected personality in the village and in the region. He collaborated on all development projects and his name appeared frequently in the Quebec newspapers of the time, including Le Soleil, La Presse, Action catholique and Le Quotidien. Over the years he founded an imposing family with eleven children, four boys and seven girls. Unfortunately, in 1917 he lost a son, Antoine, aged 16. Three other children also die at an early age; two boys, Louis-Joseph at the age of two (1905), Joseph-Paul at the age of three (1915) and a girl, Marie-Juliette during her first year in 1915. These graves are engraved on the stele of Pierre Cid at the ancestral cemetery of Tadoussac. During the 1911 census (sources found by Mr. Tom Evans) the children identified in the national register are Victoria, the eldest, who was born in Syria on December 17, 1892, as well as Geneviève on March 16, 1893. children born in Quebec: Joseph, January 13, 1896 (hence my doubt on the hypothesis of the arrival of Pierre Cid in the country in 1897), Antoine on December 11, 1900 and died in 1917 (on the epitaph he is indicated 1901 as the date of birth, while the census specifies that he was born in 1900), Alexandra, June 7, 1904, Joséphine, March 5, 1905, Marie and Antoinette the twins, April 1, 1910. The children were educated in the Catholic religion as the indications in the newspapers suggest. Indeed, some of the girls were even novices with the nuns, notably Geneviève (Sister Marie-du-St-Esprit), Alexandra (Sister Marie-du-bon-Pasteur) and Antoinette (Sister Alarie-du-bon-Pasteur) . Some witnesses at the time claim that Alexandra and Marie worked with Joseph at the store. Marie was reportedly suffering from Parkinson's disease. Alexandra's death notice, found in the newspaper Le Soleil for November 7, 1978, announces her death on November 6, 1978 in Quebec City at the age of 74. The obituary relates the presence at the funerals of Joseph, Josephine and Marie. We have not found any other traces after this date. Victoria, the eldest, and Antoinette the younger, will be the only Cid children to marry. We find the entry in the register, the marriage of Victoria, who married on September 20, 1920, in Toronto, Mr. John Moses Cooley, son of James Cooley and Agnès Clair. Antoinette, after studying nursing at Ste-Justine Hospital in Montreal and practicing her profession for a few years in Quebec, left the country to settle in New York. There she met John David Barr of Baltimore and married in 1950. Two years earlier, on March 16, 1948, the funeral of Mr. Pierre Cid was celebrated in Tadoussac, at the venerable age of 82 years and 5 months. A few years earlier, Mrs. Hallissah Cid died on July 26, 1945 at the age of 68. An epitaph in his memory is inscribed on a tombstone near the stele of Pierre Cid. There will therefore be no patronymic descendant of Pierre Cid. Are there Cid-Cooley descendants in Ontario from Victoria’s marriage, or Cid-Barrs in the United States from Antoinette’s marriage? Unfortunately, we haven't found any evidence of it yet. To be continued, perhaps. Daniel Delisle PhD
- Williams, Jim & Evelyn (Meredith)
Williams, Jim & Evelyn (Meredith) Back to ALL Bios Jim Williams is the oldest son of Lennox Williams and Nan Rhodes. Born in 1888, married Evelyn Meredith January 3, 1916. He was killed in the First World War at the Somme in November 18, 1916 at the age of 28. MANY more photos and letters at https://www.tidesoftadoussac.com/james-w-williams
- Smith, Amelia Jane (LeMesurier)
Smith, Amelia Jane (LeMesurier) Back to ALL Bios Amelia Jane LeMesurier Smith 1832-1917 Amelia Jane LeMesurier was born in Quebec City in 1832. She was the 4th daughter and one of 12 children of Henry LeMesurier and his wife Julie Guerout. In 1857 she married Robert Herbert Smith also of Quebec City. He was involved in the Timber and Shipping business. They had 6 sons, Robert Harcourt, Herbert, Charles, George, Edmund and Arthur and 2 daughters, Edith and Amelia Blanche. She died in Quebec City in 1917 having been predeceased by her sons Robert Harcourt in 1913 and Herbert in 1915. She is buried with her husband in Mount Hermon Cemetery, in Quebec City. Eve Wickwire Photo circa 1906 shows Amelia Jane Lemesurier Smith, her son Robert Harcourt Carrington Smith, and his son Gordon Smith, father of Eve Wickwire!
- Stairs, Dennis & Sue
Stairs, Dennis & Sue Back to ALL Bios Dennis W. Stairs 1923-1975 & Susan E. (Inglis) Stairs 1923-1978 Dennis was born and grew up in Montreal. After attending Bishop’s College School, he joined the Royal Navy and served on the British aircraft carrier Indefatigable as an airplane navigator. He started coming to Tadoussac at an early age, and in his teens went on trips to Les Escoumins and the Marguerite in nor’shore canoes with his brothers and his cousin Peter Turcot - twenty miles rowing is a long way! He was a tennis and skiing enthusiast and was on the McGill University teams for both sports. He graduated from McGill with honours in engineering and took a position with what was then the Price Brothers Company in Kenogami. He married twice having four children by his first marriage and three by his second. Sue Inglis was born and grew up in Pittenweem, Scotland. She moved to London during the war and served in an anti-aircraft unit defending the city. She married Dennis Stairs in 1957 and together they had three children, Alan, John, and Sarah to add to Dennis’s previous four, Judy, George, Felicite, and Philippa, and she treated all seven with the same mixture of poise, no-nonsense strength, and kindness. Sue had left her home in a thriving metropolitan city to move to Kenogami, a small town a mere ninety miles from Tadoussac. She adapted well, learning skiing as well as other winter activities. She also learned French well enough to lead the Girl Guides in the Lac St Jean region! She came to Tadoussac soon after arriving and embarked on the full range of activities – witness her name on the Mixed-Doubles Tennis Trophy in more than one place, her embroidery creations in the church, and the Scottish-dancing parties she hosted - not to mention numerous picnics around Tadoussac on the beaches, in the hills, and along the shores in the freighter-canoe Seven Steps. She tirelessly nursed Dennis when he took ill, enabling him to spend the last few years of his life in the relative peace and comfort of his own homes in Montreal and in Tadoussac. Dennis passed on to us all, with varying degrees of success, his love of the outdoors whether hiking, cross-country skiing, chopping wood, or fishing. He passed along to us his love of small boats, be they canoes, rowboats, motorboats, or even how to use a freighter canoe as a sailboat! And of course, he led by example in tennis and skiing. Perhaps most of all he tried to teach us to be honest, fair, hard-working, and family-oriented people. Many a time we were cajoled into doing unpleasant tasks with the words "you're not going to let your poor father do everything are you?" We and the entire Tadoussac community remember them as good parents, good friends, and good people to have in your corner when the going got tough. George Stairs
- Tremblay, Pierre
Tremblay, Pierre Back to ALL Bios PIERRE TREMBLAY 1926 - 1991 Pierre Tremblay est né à Tadoussac le 18 janvier 1926. Il était le quatrième d’une fratrie de cinq enfants. Sa mère Blanche Gauthier avait acquis la Maison Tremblay en héritage de sa mère Sarah Jourdain. Blanche Gauthier a épousé Armand Tremblay. Pierre a vécu toute sa vie à Tadoussac. Dès son adolescence il a commencé à travailler pour M. Hector Gauthier qui était à l’époque le «Caretaker» des cottages des estivants anglophones. Durant ses années à l’emploi de M. Gauthier, Pierre Tremblay a occupé pendant plusieurs années le poste de «Maître du quai» de la baie de Tadoussac. C’est vers l’année 1973 que Pierre Tremblay a succédé à M. Hector Gauthier pour devenir le nouveau «Caretaker» des cottages. Pierre Tremblay s’est marié en 1966 avec Thérèse Ouellet. La Maison Tremblay a été, grâce à eux, pendant des décennies, un lieu de vacances et de retrouvailles pour tous les membres de la famille Tremblay. Ils n’ont pas eu d’enfants. Par contre, ils ont toujours accordé leur hospitalité aux enfants de ses frères et plus particulièrement à ceux de son frère Maurice, capitaine sur les traversiers entre Tadoussac et Baie Ste-Catherine. Ce dernier était un artiste dans l’âme avec des talents de sculpteur et d’ébéniste. On lui doit quelques sculptures toujours en place à l’église Ste-Croix. Maurice est décédé subitement en 1975. Pierre Tremblay adorait les chiens. Quelques fois c’était deux chiens qui l’accompagnaient lors de ses visites aux cottages. Avec son épouse Thérèse, ils prenaient grand soin de la Maison Tremblay et du jardin fleuri tout autour de la maison. Pierre Tremblay a également agi pendant plusieurs années comme sacristain à la chapelle anglicane. Il a également siégé comme marguiller pour la Fabrique Ste-Croix de Tadoussac et il a réalisé pour l’église de nombreux arrangements décoratifs lors des fêtes dominicales. Pierre Tremblay possédait des talents remarquables dans une foule de domaines. Des talents bien souvent innés mais qui ont su se perfectionner au fil de son expérience de travail. Il était un ébéniste, un charpentier et un réparateur de tous les types de problèmes que pouvaient exister dans une maison. Il fournissait en bois de chauffage les cottages des estivants, les ouvrait au printemps et les fermait à l’automne. Il les entretenait et les réparait selon les désirs de leurs propriétaires. Il était dévoué et apprécié de tous. Il a même construit la maison sise au 3 de la rue des Petites Franciscaines. Après avoir rempli des obligations le dimanche, tant à la chapelle Anglicane qu’à l’églises Ste-Croix, Pierre Tremblay aimait se reposer sur la galerie de la Maison Tremblay. Il répondait avec enthousiasme aux salutations des passants sur la rue Bord-de-l’eau. Pierre avait un excellent sens de l’humour. Il aimait les bonnes discussions agrémentées d’un petit gin! Pierre Tremblay est décédé alors qu’il était encore jeune à l’âge de 65 ans en 1991. Il a créé un grand vide dans la vie de tous ses neveux et nièces de la famille Tremblay, dont Louis et Tina qui habitent à Tadoussac. Son épouse Thérèse l’a rejoint en 2019. Rédigé par Robert Tremblay, neveu de Pierre Tremblay Le 1er juillet 2021. PIERRE TREMBLAY 1926 - 1991 Pierre Tremblay was born in Tadoussac on January 18, 1926. He was the fourth in a family of five children. His mother Blanche Gauthier had acquired Maison Tremblay as an inheritance from his mother Sarah Jourdain. Blanche Gauthier married Armand Tremblay. Pierre lived all his life in Tadoussac. From his teenage years he started working for Mr. Hector Gauthier who was at the time the "Caretaker" of the cottages of english summer visitors. During his years working for Mr. Gauthier, Pierre Tremblay worked for several years as "Master of the wharf" in the bay of Tadoussac. It was around 1973 that Pierre Tremblay took over from Mr. Hector Gauthier to become the new "Caretaker" of the cottages. Pierre Tremblay married Thérèse Ouellet in 1966. La Maison Tremblay has been, for decades, a place of vacation and reunion for all members of the Tremblay family. They didn't have any children. On the other hand, they always accorded their hospitality to the children of his brothers and more particularly to those of his brother Maurice, captain on the ferries between Tadoussac and Baie Ste-Catherine. The latter was an artist at heart with talents as a sculptor and cabinetmaker. We owe him some sculptures still in place in the Church of Ste-Croix. Maurice died suddenly in 1975. Pierre Tremblay loved dogs. Sometimes two dogs accompanied him on his visits to the cottages. With his wife Thérèse, they took great care of Maison Tremblay and the flower garden all around the house. Pierre Tremblay also acted for several years as sacristan at the Anglican chapel. He also served as churchwarden for the Fabrique Ste-Croix in Tadoussac and he made many decorative arrangements for the church during Sunday feasts. Pierre Tremblay had remarkable talents in a host of fields. Talents that are often innate but have been able to improve themselves over the course of their work experience. He was a cabinetmaker, carpenter, and repairman of all types of problems that could exist in a home. He supplied summer cottages with firewood, opened them in the spring and closed them in the fall. He maintained and repaired them according to the wishes of their owners. He was dedicated and appreciated by all. He even built the house located at 3 rue des Petites Franciscaines. After fulfilling Sunday obligations, both at the Anglican chapel and at the Ste-Croix churches, Pierre Tremblay liked to rest in the gallery of Maison Tremblay. He responded enthusiastically to the greetings of passers-by on Bord-de-Eau Street. Pierre had a great sense of humor. He loved good discussions with a little gin! Pierre Tremblay passed away when he was still young at the age of 65 in 1991. He created a great void in the lives of all his nephews and nieces of the Tremblay family, including Louis and Tina who live in Tadoussac. His wife Thérèse joined him in 2019. Written by Robert Tremblay, nephew of Pierre Tremblay July 1, 2021.
- Scott, Mabel Emily (Russell)
Scott, Mabel Emily (Russell) Back to ALL Bios Mabel Emily Russell Scott (1875 – 1952) Mabel Emily Russell (b. 1875) was the granddaughter of Willis Russell and the daughter of William Edward Russell and Fanny Eliza Pope. Her sister was Florence Louisa “Nonie” Russell and her brother was Willis Robert Russell who died young at age 20 of TB. Mabel was born in Quebec and at age 27, married Charles Cunningham Scott. Soon after, Mabel and Charles relocated to the Buffalo, New York area where Charles continued his career as sales manager for a steam equipment company. They brought with them their two young children, Frances Grace Scott and Charles Russell Scott. Mabel and Charles, along with their children, continued summering in Tadoussac at the family cottage, “Spruce Cliff”. Mabel died near Buffalo at age 76 in in 1952 and her husband, Charles, died a few years later, in 1955. Their daughter, Frances Grace Scott, never married and became a school teacher in the Buffalo area (Kenmore) where she lived until her death in 1993 at age 88. Grace’s brother, Charles (Charlie), married Christine Marchington. Both Charles and Grace continued summering at Tadoussac at “Spruce Cliff” throughout their lives. Charlie died in London, Ontario in 1995 and his wife, Christine, died in 2010. Their two children are Susan and Robert Scott. Susan (Susie) married George Bruemmer and they along with children Andrew, Matthew and Jennifer continue enjoying some or all of their summers at Tad. Brian Dewart
- Dobson, Marion Sarah (Smith)
Dobson, Marion Sarah (Smith) Back to ALL Bios Marion Sarah (Smith) Dobson 1907 - 1992 Marion, or Mally as she was called in Canada, was born in 1907 in Montreal. Her parents were George Carington Smith and Winifred Dawes Smith and she had one sister, Pixie, above. She grew up on Dorchester Ave. in Montreal and attended King’s Hall, Compton. Her summers were spent in Tadoussac with her many Smith and Price cousins. In 1929, in Montreal, she married Benjamin Arthur Palin Dobson and moved to Heaton Lodge, Bolton, Lancashire in England. She would live the rest of her life in England but made frequent visits to Canada and particularly Tadoussac. She and Ben had three sons. Bob was born in 1931, Chris in 1936, and Andrew in 1942. She had five grandchildren, Richard, Caroline, Jonathan, Nick, and Alexandra (Alex). After Ben’s death in 1962, Marion continued to live in their family home, Whitestock, in the Lake District. Their son Bob took over the family home in the late 1970s or early 1980s and Marion moved to a cottage in the Cotswolds to be near Chris and his wife Pen. In 1982, she moved into a cottage on Chris and Pen’s property and was there until her death in 1992. Marion was smart and interested in everything, especially anything political. She was very politically astute. She rose up the ranks of the Conservative Party and eventually became Chair of the Northwest area of England. This was a huge volunteer job for which she was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1960 for “Political Services.” Her interest in, and knowledge of, politics never waned. She was also a volunteer for the Bolton Nursing Association, the Royal College of Nursing, and the Bolton Hostel Committee. To quote her daughter-in-law, Pen, “She was a wonderful, loving, caring woman.” Pen Dobson
- Goodings, Allen
Goodings, Allen Back to ALL Bios The Right Reverend Allen Goodings 1925- 1992 In 1964, the Reverend Allen Goodings enquired at the Diocesan office in Montreal about the possibility of becoming a locum over the summer months. Advised that nothing was vacant, the secretary put forward his name should a placement become available. Early in July, he unexpectedly received a phone call asking if he would be interested in presiding over services at the Tadoussac Protestant chapel the following month. Neither he nor his wife Joanne knew much about where they were headed but a few weeks later a trunk was loaded onto a CSL steamship, and with their car packed to the roof, the family set off on an adventure that was to be repeated almost yearly for the next two decades. Allen Goodings was born on May 7, 1925 in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire, England. The second of three children, he was born into a shipbuilding family. His father Thomas was in the employ of His Majesty’s Colonial Service in the protectorate of Nigeria overseeing the building of steam ships, and Allen followed his older brother Goff into an apprenticeship at Vickers Armstrongs shipyard in Barrow. He furthered his craft at Barrow Technical College and though he would rather be playing sports than studying, he eventually graduated as an engineer draughtsman. Allen, a passionate sportsman, was selected to play rugby for Lancashire County at Wembley stadium in London. He had the prospect of a professional rugby career at that time, but chose to follow another path. On March 29, 1952, Allen sailed from Liverpool to begin a position with Vickers Armstrongs Shipbuilders, Ltd. in Montreal. Being a gregarious man, he set about building a life in Canada, but gradually came to realize that he was being pulled towards another vocation. In the fall of 1952, he began a Bachelor of Arts degree at Sir George Williams College. The following year, he also began a Bachelor of Divinity at the Diocesan Theological College of McGill University. In the spring of 1959, he graduated with a degree from both universities and was ordained in December. He married Joanne Talbot of Grand Valley, Ontario, on October 26 that same year, they went on to have two children, Suzanne and Thomas, shortly thereafter. Over the next ten years, Allen served three parishes in the Anglican Diocese of Montreal and was chaplain to the Grenadier Guards from 1966 to 1969. His love of rugby never far behind, he and a group of players from the Westmount club played for Canada in the annual Bermuda Rugby Week. He was later a member of Montreal Barbarians Rugger Club. In the fall of 1969, he became Dean of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Quebec City. On October 31, 1977, Allen was installed as the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Quebec and served until he resigned his See in 1991. He and his wife Joanne retired to the Ottawa area the same year, where he became assistant bishop of Ottawa and served until his death on December 15, 1992. Tadoussac became Allen’s spiritual home, a place where he made lifelong friends, and lasting memories. An avid fell walker in his youth, he loved nothing more than to set off on a long ramble. He spent many happy afternoons on the tennis court, and loved family picnics on Pointe Rouge communing with belugas and basking on the rocks. Allen requested that his ashes be scattered on the Saguenay River. This was done on a foggy morning in May 1992, as a whale surfaced to accompany the sailboat. Joanne Goodings
- Dewart, Russell and Ann (Stevenson)
Dewart, Russell and Ann (Stevenson) Back to ALL Bios Ann (Stevenson) 1915 - 2008 & the Rev. Russell Dewart 1901 - 1997 Ann de Duplessis Stevenson was born in 1915 at 83 rue d’Auteuil in Quebec City, the daughter of Florence Louisa Maude Russell and Dr James Stevenson. The Stevenson sisters (Margaret, Ann, and Elizabeth) spent their childhood summers in Tadoussac staying at their grandmother's house in the village, the original family cottage Spruce Cliff built by their great-grandfather, Willis Russell in 1861. In 1922, Ann’s father, Dr Stevenson, had their own cottage built for his family in Languedoc Park on land given to them by their cousin, Erie Russell Languedoc. This cottage now remains in Margaret's family and is owned by Margaret's son, Dennis Reilley. In the late 1920s, Dr Stevenson built a second cottage nearby which now remains in Elizabeth's family (the O'Neill house). In 1938, Ann married a Bostonian, Russell Dewart - coincidently her third cousin (Ann was a direct descendant of Willis Russell and Russell was a direct descendant of Willis's brother, William Russell). When one of Russell’s sisters was getting married in Boston, Ann was sent to represent the Canadian branch of the family and was met at the train station by her future husband, Russell. Later, in the 1940s, Ann and Russell Dewart purchased Tivoli, the third Stevenson cottage (now the Dewart house). Tivoli has an interesting history. Shortly after World War I, Erie Languedoc had two square log cabins from the golf course moved on rollers to Tivoli's present location where she joined them together and rented it out. It was then bought from Erie Languedoc by Professor Maclean from Rochester, NY, who named it Tivoli. In 1945, Ann and Russell purchased the cottage from the professor and continued summering there every summer with their six children, Timothy, Alan, Brian, Ted, Beth, and Judy. Many years later, in the mid-1980s, Russell and Ann built their own little chalet across the road from Tivoli. Among Ann's additional pleasures were stimulating and philosophical conversations, exchanging aphorisms, delving into history, reading and writing, brisk walks, and sharing a cup of tea. Ann’s time spent with family at her summer home in Tadoussac was a source of great joy and spiritual renewal. She authored a self-published memoir Nose to the Window which included reflections, poems, letters, and anecdotes of her rich and vibrant life including much history of early Tadoussac and growing up in Quebec City. Russell Dewart, was asked to tell of his life for his 50th college anniversary and part of what Russell wrote is below: “… after getting a delayed degree at Harvard, I took the rather conventional business route of selling everything from rubber boots to investment counselling. The salesman whom my long-suffering wife married turned up a few years later in the pulpit with a round collar, but with few of the other less discernible attributes usually associated with the Ministry. I regard this complete change of direction as one of the many paradoxes of my life and makeup. Having entered the Episcopal Seminary in Cambridge at the age of forty-three it was hard for me to believe that I had spent twenty-three years as a parish priest when I retired (for the first time). While a clergyman’s life can be parochial and unexciting, I have found it a most challenging profession and one that is deeply rewarding. Perhaps the reason I say this is that the greatest joy I find in life is through my relationships with people of all ages and conditions - beginning of course with my own family and friends. The church records tell me that it has been my privilege to be called on to baptize, marry or bury some 1600 souls, and to present another 800 to the Bishop for Confirmation. These occasions for most individuals, as well as other times of tragedy and joy, are crucial and searching experiences. They are times when the clergyman is allowed to share some of the most significant moments in a family’s life together. For him, they provide the unique opportunity to do what he was ordained to do – to walk along with his people as one who serves. Because of this, and for what he himself has learned from them – these times are never forgotten. My entire Ministry has been here in Massachusetts - at Epiphany, Walpole; Grace Church, Chicopee, and St. Peter’s, Beverly. Since retiring in 1967, I have served part-time at the Old North Church in Boston where my father was Rector fifty years ago, and more recently as Interim Pastor at St. John’s, Beverly Farms. Throughout these years I have been blessed beyond measure with the kindness and appreciation of so many people in return for what little I on my own might give. God does work in mysterious ways. Other activities during the past fifty years have centred largely around my family and home. Since the war, we have spent some part of most summers at our cottage in Tadoussac, Quebec – where the Saguenay River joins the St. Lawrence. It is here where my wife came as a child and where we as a family have spent some of our happiest days. Now our children return there with their children and friends – to the place they consider their first home. We acquired our present home here, a small, cosy, New England house built originally by one Jeffrey Thistle, a planter, in 1668. Jeffrey built well but there is enough to keep me busy and happy in caring for his clapboard house and half-acre of land. It is here we expect to live out our days with occasional visits to our six children, and possibly further travel abroad if the spirit moves and the conditions are favourable. But we are quite content to remain where we are. There is a good stack of Vermont hardwood outside for our fireplaces; there are some fish left in the ocean a half-mile away. And we are surrounded by friends. Fortunately, Ann and I still enjoy good health and, most of the time, our sense of humour. We are able to pursue our individual interests and to look forward not to vegetating, but to making the most of what time is left to us in being useful and helpful to others in our own particular way. The Lord has been good to us; our life together has been a full and happy one.” Russell Dewart served faithfully as a summer rector for twenty-one years (1953-1974). He died in 1997 and Ann died eleven years later in 2008. Both are buried in the family plot in Mount Hermon Cemetery, Quebec. Brian Dewart
- Languedoc, Erie (Janes) & George de Guerry
Languedoc, Erie (Janes) & George de Guerry Back to ALL Bios Erie Russell (Janes) 1863 - 1941 & George de Guerry Languedoc 1860 - 1924 Erie Russell Janes (b. 1863 in Montreal) was the daughter of Mary Frances Russell and her husband, William D. B. Janes. Soon after her birth, Erie’s mother died and she went to Quebec to live with her grandparents, Willis Russell, and his wife, Rebecca Page Sanborn. Willis Russell, her grandfather, was one of the first Quebec residents to build a summer home at Tadoussac and from her childhood until her death, Erie spent many summer months there each year. When Willis died in 1887, Erie sold out her share of the family house in Tad (Spruce Cliff) and built a house opposite the Roman Catholic Church called Russellhurst. In 1911 at age forty-eight, Erie married the widower, George de Guerry Languedoc who brought with him his daughter Adele. In his lifetime, George Languedoc was a civil engineer and architect, and for the first two years of their married life, they lived in Port Arthur, Ontario. Subsequently, they moved to Ottawa where Erie remained until her husband’s death in 1924 when she came to Montreal to live with her step-daughter, Adele Languedoc who was in charge of the McLennan Travelling Library at Macdonald College. She later sold Russellhurst in the Tadoussac village and bought what is now known as Languedoc Parc from Henry Dale, an American. She designed and built Amberley which is now (much renovated) the Gomer home. Dale also had a carriage road going down to Pointe Rouge. The circular “Fairy Circle” was its turnaround. During World War I, Erie organized a Red Cross Society branch at Aylmer, Quebec, and after the war, she was instrumental in setting up seven chapters of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (I.O.D.E., a Canadian national women’s charitable organization) in the Ottawa district. In 1940, just before her death, Erie organized a Red Cross branch in Tadoussac. She was a life member of both the Red Cross Society and the I.O.D.E. Erie did much to promote interest in, and the sale of, handicrafts indigenous to the Saguenay region and was an authority on the folklore of this district in Quebec. Recognition of the work she had done for Tadoussac came with her election to the honorary presidency of Le Cercle des Fermieres of Tadoussac which still exists today. Ann Stevenson Dewart relates memories of her first cousin, Erie. “In those days the Park was truly a private enclave, dominated by Cousin Erie Languedoc. No one passed her door without her scrutiny, and French and English alike walked in awe of her flashing, black eyes and outthrust jaw. ‘You, there, what's your name?’ she would ask, poking her crooked walking stick at the trespasser's stomach. If it was a French child, she would want to know his parents' names. She persuaded the Curé to declare the Park off-limits after dark for the village youths, as much to protect her rest as their morals. Only visitors were allowed to come in by the front gate opposite the Golf Club. Tradesmen and the solitary motorcar had to use the back entrance near Hovington's farm. If anyone came to our door after dark, uninvited, Mum would first get down the .22 rifle before calling out, ‘Who is it?’ Fortunately, she never had to use either it or the revolver. Cousin Erie, however, wasn't afraid of man or beast and often stayed alone in the park until the boats stopped running late in September. She and her walking stick were a match for anything, but Mum was more nervous. Erie gave her a big brass dinner bell to ring if she needed help. Erie had one even bigger. As the only two women alone in the park it was a kind of mutual aid pact in case of fire or illness.” Erie died in 1941 when Amberley then went to Adele and later, after Adele's death, was acquired by Adelaide Gomer. Brian Dewart (with excerpts from Ann Stevenson Dewart’s writings)
- Skutezky, Ernie & Phoebe (Evans)
Skutezky, Ernie & Phoebe (Evans) Back to ALL Bios Ernest Skutezky 1918 - 2011 Ernest Skutezky was born in Opava, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now the eastern part of the Czech Republic on 1st day of September 1918, the son of Hans and Lily Skutezky, and died in Montreal on December 18, 2011. In the mid 1930s he attended Dundee Tech in Scotland to learn about the textile trade, which was his father’s business in central Europe. In 1938, his father advised him that he was moving the family to North America - the United States or Canada - to get away from the oppression been invoked by Nazi Germany. Apparently, he said if the destination for the family was Canada, he would come. He was accepted in the Commerce program at McGill University and enrolled in the ROTC program. His father would not permit him to “join up” until he had completed his degree. Ernest graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree at McGill University in 1942, before joining the Canadian Army. After undergoing officer training at Brockville and Petawawa he was posted to England. Ernest was commissioned as Lieutenant and was first in the artillery and then was seconded into intelligence. Two weeks after D-Day he landed at Juno Beach and his duties were to set up prisoner cages to interrogate prisoners. He also would travel by motorcycle to German holdout positions to encourage prisoners to surrender using his German mother tongue. He travelled with the Canadian advance all the way to Holland. After the cessation of hostilities in Europe he married Phoebe Maye Evans at St. Matthias’ Church in Westmount, Quebec, in August, 1945. Ernest was introduced to Tadoussac by his bride to be Phoebe. Apparently, Phoebe indicated that he would have to like Tadoussac if they were to be married. He became a fixture in Tadoussac and all it had to offer including tennis, golf and his Shark sail boat. Tadoussac reminded him of St. Gilgen, Austria on the Wolfgangsee where the family had a villa which was seized by the Nazis and sold to a German. The villa was later recovered. In the mid-seventies, Ernest commissioned Gaeten Hovington, a local wood sculptor, to carve a “minke trophy” to be awarded to the winners of an annual round-robin mixed doubles tennis tournament in the month of July to promote community participation, good sportsmanship and competitive play in tennis. The tournament continues to be played in July of every summer. His legacy lives on in his 3 children Michael (Judy Shirriff), Toronto; Trevor (Gail Goodfellow), Montreal; Gwen (the late Alan Sawers), Vancouver. He was the proud grandfather of Trevor, Vancouver; James, (Silje Albrigsten, Tromso, Norway) great granddaughter, Viktoria, great grandson William), Whistler, BC; Ruth, (Jesse Wheeler, great grandsons Thomas and Max), North Vancouver BC; Dorothy (Montreal), Charles (Montreal) (Brittany Cairns) and Evelyn (Michael Price), Montreal; Christopher Sawers (Lace Kessler) and great granddaughters Stella and Charleigh) and Gordon Sawers (Sarah Rush) and great granddaughter Avery), Vancouver BC. Ernest is interred with his wife Phoebe in the Memorial Garden on the grounds of the Tadoussac Protestant Chapel. . Phoebe Maye Evans 1921 - 2008 Phoebe Maye Evans was born on 12th May, 1921 in Montreal, Quebec and died in Tadoussac on 4th July, 2008. Her father was Trevor Ainslie Evans (born 1879) and mother Dorothy Gwendolyn Esther Rhodes was born in 1892. The families of both parents were summer residents of Tadoussac and both served their Country during the first great war. Trevor initially served with the Royal Victoria Rifles which at the beginning of the First Great War amalgamated with several other Companies and Militia Regiments as the 1st Regiment, Royal Montreal Regiment. His wife Dorothy served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force as a nursing sister. Phoebe’s siblings are Ainslie Stephen, Trevor Armitage Evans and Rhodes Bethune (Tim) Evans. Phoebe was an enthusiastic member of the Montreal General Hospital auxiliary working in the Hospitality Shop, always making time to listen to those that needed that kindness. Her participation at the Atwater Club in Montreal spanned half a century, playing badminton and tennis well into her eighties. In the 1970s, Phoebe was crew to sailor husband Ernest, sailing in 420 regattas off Dorval Naval Base and upriver. Phoebe was always involved in her children’s activities either on the sidelines watching as a hockey Mom, choir mother, Tawny Owl or coaching Ringette. She was one of the 'pioneers' of Ringette, co-coaching a Canadian Championship Team. She was a proud Lady Member of the 78th Fraser Highlanders. Phoebe, lover of family, nature and all its creatures, great and small, enjoyed being 'out in it' whether it was from 'le petit train de nord' in the Laurentian mountains as a teenager and young adult, in the Morgan Arboretum well past middle age, or as a summer resident of Tadoussac, Quebec from the age of 3 months, enjoying the view and activity of the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers and environs from her front verandah in her later years. In Tadoussac she served on the Executive of the Tennis Club and the Tadoussac Protestant Chapel taking her turn arranging flowers and cleaning the Church for Sunday service. Her legacy lives on in her 3 children Michael (Judy Shirriff), Toronto; Trevor (Gail Goodfellow), Montreal; Gwen (the late Alan Sawers), Vancouver. She was the proud grandfather of Trevor, Vancouver; James, (Silje Albrigsten, Tromso, Norway) great-granddaughter, Viktoria, great-grandson William), Whistler, BC; Ruth, (Jesse Wheeler great-grandsons Thomas and Max), North Vancouver BC; Dorothy (Montreal), Charles (Montreal) (Brittany Cairns) and Evelyn (Michael Price), Montreal; Christopher Sawers (Lace Kessler) and great granddaughters Stella and Charleigh) and Gordon Sawers (Sarah Rush) and great-granddaughter Avery, Vancouver BC. Phoebe is interred with her husband Ernest in the Memorial Garden on the grounds of the Tadoussac Protestant Chapel. Michael Skutezky
- Radford, Joseph
Radford, Joseph Back to ALL Bios Joseph Radford 1815 - 1885 There is a window dedicated to the memory of Joseph Radford on the east side of the church. Joseph Radford came to Tadoussac in the 1840s, it is believed from England, and lived in Tadoussac with his wife, Isabella White, and daughter for most of his life, the only anglophone full-time residents of the town at that time. Joseph Radford was a prominent citizen in the early days of the town of Tadoussac and had many different jobs. He originally came to work in the Price Sawmill in Anse à l’Eau, but in 1848 William Price closed the mill, and Radford became the manager, in a caretaker role, to occasionally operate the mill when enough wood was harvested. In 1874 the old mill was ceded to the Federal Ministry of Marine Fisheries for $1, and Radford directed the renovation of the old building for its new role, as a fish hatchery, which he managed for the next 11 years. In 1878, surviving documents show that he was paid $400 for “conducting a Fish Breeding establishment,” and the hatchery raised and released up to a million small salmon a year in the area rivers. Mr. Radford was the last Factor of the Hudson’s Bay Post, which was located in front of the Hotel Tadoussac until it was demolished in about 1870. He was also listed as Tadoussac’s Postmaster, Protection Officer, and Customs Agent, and apparently served as the Swedish and Norwegian Vice Consul. It is uncertain what that job entailed! When the group of summer residents, Rhodes, Russell, and Urquhart got together to form a company to build the first Tadoussac Hotel in 1864, Joseph Radford was a member of the group. He is also listed as one of the founders of the Tadoussac Protestant Chapel in 1866. It was in 1863 that he bought the land opposite the Hotel Georges from David Price, and demolished the house that was there, to build a magnificent white house overlooking the old salmon pool and the cove. Early photos of Anse à l’Eau feature two imposing buildings above the wharf and mill, The Hotel Georges and the Radford House. In 1873 there was excitement in Tadoussac. Lord Dufferin was coming to build a house and become a summer resident. Joseph Radford had been a town councilor and by this time was the Mayor of Tadoussac, although the town had not yet been incorporated so he is not listed as the first mayor officially. However, he and the other prominent people in town at the time wrote a flowery letter of welcome, in which they explained that they could not possibly afford to provide a welcoming reception, being such a small community, but “hope that we may have the pleasure during many future seasons of seeing your Excellencies and your amiable family at our beautiful little seaside village.” Joseph Radford died in Tadoussac in 1885 at the age of 70, and his family continued to live in the house for many years. His unmarried daughter, Belle, inherited the house and lived there until she was too old to manage it, whereupon she sold it to Lady Price in 1918. Belle went to live in Montreal, but continued to spend her summers in Tadoussac, staying at the Hotel Georges across the street, then known as the Desmeules Boarding House. Ainslie Stephen remembered going with her mother, Dorothy Evans, to visit Belle in the years before her death in 1935. The Radford house was used to put up overflow guests from Lady Price’s cottage, and as these guests were mainly relatives and friends of her son, young men home from the First World War, it became known as the “bachelor house”. It was destroyed by fire during a strong Northwest storm in the winter of 1932. Tom & Alan Evans