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  • Williams, The Reverend Sidney & Enid (Price)

    An avid sportsman and churchman, Sidney and Enid served the Tadoussac Chapel for many years Williams, The Reverend Sidney & Enid (Price) An avid sportsman and churchman, Sidney and Enid served the Tadoussac Chapel for many years Back to ALL Bios Sydney Waldron Williams 1899-1972 & Enid M. Williams 1904 – 1998 Sydney Williams was born in Quebec City in 1899 and was the fourth child of Bishop Lennox Waldron Williams and Caroline Annie Rhodes. Sydney had an older brother James (Jimmy) who died at the battle of the Somme in 1916 and older sisters Mary and Gertrude. Sydney attended Quebec High School (Boy’s School) from 1908 until 1916. He was Head Prefect and was awarded the Governor General’s medal (for mathematics) and the Ann Ross Medal (for science). He attended Bishop’s University from 1916 until 1918 and then the Royal Military College from 1918 until 1921 (College Number 1394). Sydney finished his degree in Chemical Engineering at McGill University (as RMC could not grant degrees at the time) graduating in 1923. After graduation, Sydney worked for the Laurentide Paper Company in Grand-Mère between 1923 and 1927. He then decided to follow in the footsteps of so many of his ancestors by pursuing a degree in theology at Bishop’s University (1927-1929). He was ordained a deacon in May 1929, and then a priest in 1930, by his father Bishop Lennox Williams at the cathedral in Quebec City. After a short courtship, Sydney married Enid Price in June 1929. Enid was born in Quebec City, the second child in a family of ten children. Her parents were Henry Edward Price and Helen Muriel (Gilmour). Enid’s father, Henry, had been born in Talcahuano, Chile and, along with his brother William Price, had come to Canada as a child. Enid attended King’s Hall, Compton. Sydney and Enid had four children: Joan, Susan, Jimmy, and Sheila. Sydney was the curate for St Michael’s Church in Bournemouth, England between 1930 and 1932 before returning to work as the curate at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Quebec City while his father was Bishop. From 1933 until 1940 Sydney became the incumbent at St John the Evangelist, so he and Enid moved to Shawinigan Falls. In her childhood, Enid had visited Tadoussac nearly every summer, staying first at her father’s house, known as “the Harry Price House” (formally called Casa Nueva). After her marriage she stayed at Brynhyfryd and later still at The Barn. At the outbreak of war, and based on his previous military background, Sydney volunteered to serve and went overseas serving in the 66th Battery, 14th Field Regiment. While in England, Sydney worked as an instructor and he retired as a Major in 1944. He returned to his parish in Shawinigan as the Anglican Rector where he worked for many years until his retirement in 1967. Enid and Sydney’s children, their thirteen grandchildren and many great grandchildren have enthusiastically continued the family tradition of summers in Tadoussac. Enid had a fund of knowledge about the families of the old English society of Quebec, and she used to reminisce about the past way of life in both Tadoussac and Quebec City. In addition to an active Parish ministry, Sydney served with great devotion on many Diocesan boards including the Executive Committee of Synod, Church Society, and the Pension Committee, as well as being a member of the Corporation of King’s Hall, Compton. Enid loved Tadoussac and its chapel. She served as President of the Chapel Association and contributed some of the needlepoint embroidery presently in the chapel. She also remembered the chapel in her will, leaving it a donation. Always a proud military man, in 1956, Sydney was made an Honorary Lt Col. of the 62nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Shawinigan. He was also the Honorary Chaplain for the RMC Club of Canada and would preside over many Remembrance Day Ceremonies at the College. The following quote comes from an article written for the RMC Review about Sydney: “His many friends knew him as a man of understanding and wit, and he is also remembered by a great many people for his help in times of their trouble. His strong faith and deep understanding enabled him to give both spiritual and practical comfort.” Sports were always a great interest of Sydney and as a young man, he was a member of the Bishop’s University hockey and basketball teams. Sydney was also a great marksman and won many prizes for target shooting. He was a member of the Rifle Team at both RMC and McGill University and started the gun club in Shawinigan. Later in life, he taught the police in Shawinigan how to shoot. He used this skill in retirement when he could often be found shooting rats at the dump in Tadoussac. Sydney spent his childhood summers in Tadoussac living with his parents. He was an avid golfer, tennis player, and canoeist. After his ordination, Sydney followed in the footsteps of his father by officiating the church services in July each summer until his retirement. On the death of his father, Sydney inherited The Barn and Sydney and Enid spent their retirement playing bridge with Coosie and Ray Price and enjoying their children and grandchildren. They had a strong friendship with Dr Taylor, an American clergyman who visited Tadoussac for many years. Sydney died in St Anne’s Military Hospital in 1972 and was buried in Mount Hermon Cemetery in Quebec City. The reredos (panel behind the altar) in the Protestant Chapel in Tadoussac, was presented in his memory by the congregation. Sydney was a beloved minister, and his kind and friendly nature left a mark on everyone he met. Tadoussac was blessed to have had such a fine man as their liturgical leader for so many years. Kevin Webster Back to ALL Bios

  • McCarter, Douglas

    A devoted husband and father, Doug loved coming to Tadoussac during the summer McCarter, Douglas A devoted husband and father, Doug loved coming to Tadoussac during the summer Back to ALL Bios G. Douglas McCarter 1935 – 1985 Doug was born to Mrs. G.A. (Edna Thakray) McCarter and Brig. General G.A. McCarter on May 13, 1935 in Ottawa, Ontario upon the return of the family from England in 1933. Doug’s older sister Sallie (Sara Jane) was born in Frimley, England while father “Nick” was in a course at the Staff College in Camberley at the time. Doug enjoyed a happy childhood attending the Rockliffe Park Public School and quickly became the man of the house while his father was involved in the war effort. At the age of 11 Doug accompanied his parents to Victoria, B.C. where his father Nick retired due to ailing health. Doug finished his schooling there at Glenlyon School and University School. In 1952 he enrolled into the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario following in his father’s footsteps. Upon graduating RMC in 1956, Doug attended McGill University to complete his engineering degree. Doug spent the following summer in Chilliwack, B.C. It was during this period at McGill that he met his future wife, Pam Smith, who was studying to be a nurse at the Royal Victoria Hospital, also in Montreal. After proposing to Pam in Tadoussac, Pam and Doug were married on August 23, 1958 at the Cathedral at Quebec City. Doug arranged for a full honour guard, all in RMC uniforms. In the end, Doug chose not to pursue a military career like his father. He first accepted a position with Bell Telephone in Ottawa causing the two to move there. In 1960, their first child, (Robert Douglas) was born. Regrettably in 1961 Doug’s father died suddenly. A few weeks later their second son (William Arnold) was born. Finally, twins (Susan Elizabeth and Michael Guy) were born in 1963. Shortly thereafter, Doug’s job took the family to Montreal where they found a home in Beaconsfield. In 1968 the family once again moved to Scarsdale, New York where Doug worked for a Canadian investment firm in Manhattan. Living in the suburbs, Doug became deeply involved in work and family. He coached soccer, was a Boy Scout leader, and taught Sunday School in addition to other functions at the Church of St. James the Less where at one time he also served as warden. Eventually Doug’s professional life saw him move to Mutual of America and other investment companies in the heart of Manhattan. On the twins’ 22nd birthday in 1985, while out running in preparation for one of many marathons he would run, Doug suffered a massive heart attack and died at home that day. He was a devoted husband and father. Michael McCarter Photo below The Smith sisters with their husbands Ann and Bill Van Aylstyn Pam and Doug McCarter Penny and David Younger Back to ALL Bios

  • Quinby, The Reverend Congreve Hamilton – 1928 - 2018

    Father Con Quinby, through his faith, lived a life of service to marginalized and less fortunate people. Quinby, The Reverend Congreve Hamilton – 1928 - 2018 Father Con Quinby, through his faith, lived a life of service to marginalized and less fortunate people. Back to ALL Bios Congreve Hamilton Quinby – 1928 - 2018 Father Con Quinby was born in Rochester, New York, to the late Henry Dean Quinby Jr. and the late Alice Hamilton Onderdonk on November 28, 1928. He attended Phillip’s Academy, Andover, Maryland, graduating in 1946. He matriculated to Williams College, Williamstown, Maryland, graduating in 1950 with a major in music. Con served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict as a naval intelligence officer, achieving the rank of Lieutenant, junior grade. While in the navy, he received the call to enter the priesthood in the Episcopal Church, a vocation he fulfilled with devotion, joy and wonder for almost 60 years. He attended Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois, marrying Constance Louise Philp right after graduation on May 31, 1958 in the seminary chapel. They drove cross country on their honeymoon to his first ministry as vicar of St. Joseph’s Church in Buena Park, California. In 1962, Father Quinby was called as rector of Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Los Angeles. Serving in the inner-city during the tumultuous 1960s is when his social justice work truly took hold. He marched in Selma in 1965, registered voters, and advocated for fair housing laws. He was instrumental in building subsidized housing for senior citizens as well as the first center for independent living in an African-American community. He stood with the United Farm Workers in their fight for fair wages and supported the Black Panthers as they fed hungry children. In 1978, Father Quinby became Canon Pastor at Grace and Holy Trinity in Kansas City, Montana, and in 1982 became Priest-in-Charge at St. Augustine’s, also in Kansas City. He served as rector to Trinity Church, Potsdam, New York from 1985 until his retirement from full-time parish ministry in 1994. Father Quinby served fifteen years as a summer chaplain at the Protestant Chapel in his beloved Tadoussac, Quebec, Canada. In retirement, he assisted at parishes in Northern New York as part of the Regional Ministry of St. Lawrence County. For more than twenty years, he served one to two months each winter as Priest-in-Residence at the House of the Redeemer, a retreat house, in New York City. In 2002, Father Quinby and his wife moved to Burlington, Vermont, where he continued to serve as supply clergy in parishes throughout Northern New York and Vermont. His concern for the marginalized found new outlets as a volunteer with the Kairos Prison Ministry and co-founder Camp Agape Vermont, a summer camp for children with a parent who is incarcerated. He also volunteered through the Vermont Department of Corrections and Burlington Community Justice Center as a COSA team member helping prisoners reintegrate into the community. In his spare time, he gardened, created exquisite needlepoint, attended opera, cooked fine food, drank good wine and extended hospitality to all comers. Father Quinby was preceded in death by his brother, H. Dean Quinby, III; stepmother, Maud E. Quinby; and step-father, Lloyd B. van da Linda. He is survived by his wife of 60 years; two daughters, Edith L. Quinby (Paul Cochran) and Carol Q. Hunter (Richard); sister, Linda Q. Letson (Timothy); sister-in-law Elaine E. Quinby; grandchildren P. Quinby Hunter, Laura C. Hunter and Nathan J. Hunter and much-loved nieces and nephews. His funeral was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, Burlington, Vermont. Constance Quinby Back to ALL Bios

  • Cumyn, Ann Rhodes (Hargreaves)

    Born in England, Ann emigrated to Canada and was devoted to education, her church, and her family Cumyn, Ann Rhodes (Hargreaves) Born in England, Ann emigrated to Canada and was devoted to education, her church, and her family Back to ALL Bios Ann Rhodes Cumyn (née Hargreaves) Ann was born on April 14, 1935 in Wimbledon, England, and died in Charlottetown on August 25, 2025, whilst on holiday. Her father was Hebert Lyde Hargreaves and her mother was Armitage Rhodes, the daughter of Armitage Rhodes and Katie von Iffland. Ann received a degree in mathematics from Exeter University and on graduation taught mathematics at a school in the London area. In 1962 she moved to Montreal where she taught for the Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal. She married Philip Cumyn in September 1970 and in May 1971 the couple were transferred to Taiwan for eighteen months where Philip was involved in a construction project. Whilst in Taiwan, Philip and Ann adopted twins, Joanna and Lucy and on returning to Canada, bought a house in Baie D’Urfé where they lived for over 50 years. Ann was very much involved in community matters, first in the local school system where she ended up as Vice-Chairman of the Lakeshore School Board and then of its successor, the Lester B. Pearson School Board. Later on, she became a lay reader of the Anglican Church and as such sometimes took services at St. George’s Church, Ste Anne de Bellevue, at the Fulford Residence in Montreal and at Grace Church, L’Acadie. She also sat on many committees for the church including the Board of Directors of the Montreal Diocesan College. Ann was the cousin of Phoebe Skutezky and of Ainslie Stephen, and with Philip, was often invited to spend a week with them in their house at Tadoussac. Ann is buried in the Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Pointe Claire, Quebec. Back to ALL Bios

  • The Old Wooden Wharf | tidesoftadoussac1

    Tadoussac Wharf 1916-1950, Steamers, Goelettes, People! The Old Wooden Wharf Le vieux quai en bois 1916-1950 The Wharf in the bay was built in about 1916, this photo from the McCord Museum (Montreal) shows they lacked the equipment used today! Le quai dans la baie a été construit environ 1916, cette photo du Musée McCord (Montréal) montre qu'ils ne avaient pas l'équipement utilisé aujourd'hui! The "Pixie B" about 1925. The goelette at the wharf in Tadoussac (above and below) is the Pixie B and it towed the barge which could carry two cars. La "Pixie B" circa 1925. La goélette au quai de Tadoussac est le Pixie B et remorquer le chaland qui pourrait transporter deux voitures Paintings on this page by Frank Morewood and Lilybell Rhodes Uncle Arthur C-Smith R Lewis Evans ? Nan Wallace (Leggat) Susan Williams (Webster) Joan Williams (Ballantyne) Nan Wallace (Leggat) Jim Williams 1947 painting by Albert Cloutier Thanks to Peter Mc The yellow truck shows up several times, probably a Hotel Tadoussac vehicle Le camion jaune apparaît à plusieurs reprises, probablement un véhicule de l'Hôtel Tadoussac The wharf was badly damaged when the CSL Quebec burned in August 1950, and rebuilt with the steel wharf we see today. Le quai a été gravement endommagé lorsque le CSL Québec brûlé en Août 1950, et reconstruite avec le quai d'acier que nous voyons aujourd'hui. Wharf construction with a crane in the background, and a boat being rebuilt at the same time early 1950's Construction de quai avec une grue en arrière-plan, Et un bateau étant reconstruit en même temps Début des années 50 72

  • Tides of Tadoussac

    Tadoussac Historical Photos of the Hudson's Bay Station in the mid 1800's. Hudson's Bay Station, Tadoussac Looking at many old photos I realized there were many of the Hudson's Bay Station at Tadoussac. En regardant de nombreuses vieilles photos j'ai réalisé qu'il y avait plusieurs de la station de la Baie d'Hudson à Tadoussac. Chief Factor Barnston and R.M. Ballantyne at Tadoussac, 1846 Winter was the favoured season for staff movements. This painting (by Charles Fraser COMFORT 1941) depicts three traders arriving at the Hudson's Bay Company trading post of Tadoussac, their new assignment. The central figure is Chief Factor George Barnston. R.M. Ballantyne is the figure on the left carrying the copper kettle and green blanket. Chef Factor Barnston et R.M. Ballantyne à Tadoussac 1846 Winter était la saison préférée pour les mouvements de personnel. Cette peinture (par Charles Fraser COMFORT 1941) dépeint trois commerçants arrivant à traite de la Compagnie de la Baie d' Hudson poste de Tadoussac , leur nouvelle affectation . La figure centrale est le facteur le chef George Barnston . R.M. Ballantyne est la figure de gauche portant la bouilloire de cuivre et couverture verte . These two remarkably similar images show Tadoussac in the early 1800's, when the Hudson's Bay Post stood alone on the bay. Ces deux images similaires montrent Tadoussac dans le début des années 1800, quand la Hudson's Bay Post était seul sur la baie. 1858 ~1868 And then it's gone! Dufferin House is not yet built in this photo, so the Hudson's Bay Station was demolished around 1870. Et puis il a disparu! Maison Dufferin n'est pas encore construit dans cette photo , la station de la Baie d'Hudson a été démolie vers 1870 . (From Hudson's Bay Archives) Tadoussac was a trading post and fishery. It was also the headquarters for the King's Posts 1821-1822, 1831-1851. It was operated by the Hudson's Bay Company during the trading season 1821-1822 and was again acquired by HBC in 1831. Tadoussac had been a trading post since it was founded by Francois Grave Sieur du Pont in 1600. In 1720 it was named as one of the King's Posts. Tadoussac was the headquarters of the King's Posts until the end of the outfit 1849. In 1851 Governor George Simpson noted that due to a decline in the fur trade, it was only necessary to maintain Tadoussac as a fishing post for the summer months. The vessels that had usually wintered at Tadoussac did so now at Quebec, where the marine stores for the district were kept. On April 4, 1859, Chief Factor Hector McKenzie wrote to Benjamin Scott, who was in charge of Tadoussac, and informed him that the HBC did not intend carrying on the salmon fisheries any longer. Early the same year the fishing material was sold to Henry Simard and he also acquired the salmon fisheries at Tadoussac, the use of the ice house, and store during the fishing season. ( De Archives de Hudson Bay) Tadoussac était un poste de traite et de la pêche . Il était également le siège des Postes du Roi 1821-1822 , 1831-1851 . Il a été opéré par la Compagnie de la Baie d' Hudson au cours de la campagne de commercialisation 1821-1822 et a de nouveau été acquis par HBC en 1831 . Tadoussac était un poste de traite , car il a été fondé par François Gravé Sieur du Pont en 1600 . En 1720, il a été nommé comme l'un des Postes du Roi . Tadoussac était le quartier général des Postes du Roi jusqu'à la fin de tenue de 1849 . En 1851, le gouverneur George Simpson a noté qu'en raison d'une baisse dans le commerce de la fourrure , il était seulement nécessaire de maintenir Tadoussac comme un poste de pêche pour les mois d'été. Les navires qui avaient généralement l'hiver à Tadoussac fait maintenant au Québec , où les magasins marines pour le quartier ont été conservés. Le 4 Avril 1859, l'agent principal Hector McKenzie a écrit à Benjamin Scott, qui était en charge de Tadoussac, et l'a informé que le HBC n'a pas l'intention portant sur la pêche du saumon tout plus longue. Au début de la même année le matériel de pêche a été vendue à Henry Simard et il a également acquis la pêche du saumon à Tadoussac , l'utilisation de la maison de glace, et de stocker pendant la saison de pêche . 14

  • Smith, Edmund Harcourt Carington

    Athletic and single Edmund enjoyed his summers in Tadoussac Smith, Edmund Harcourt Carington Athletic and single Edmund enjoyed his summers in Tadoussac Back to ALL Bios Edmund Harcourt Carington Smith 1874-1951 Edmund was born in Quebec City in 1874. He was the fifth son of Robert Herbert Smith and Amelia Jane LeMesurier Smith. He was a well-known banking figure who started his career at the Bank of Montreal in 1892. He was manager of several branches in Canada and England and ended his career in 1932 in charge of the Charlevoix and Centre Street branches of the bank in Quebec City. He was a member for many years of the Royal Montreal Curling Club and the Montreal Athletic Amateur Association. He spent many summers in Tadoussac and loved the beauty of the area and, as a bachelor, he enjoyed the closeness of his extended family. He died suddenly in Tadoussac on August 15, 1951, and is buried at Mount Hermon Cemetery in Quebec City. Eve Wickwire ~1894 the children George (1870), Herbert (1866) Robert Harcourt (1858), Amelia Blanche (1863, who married Sir William Price), Charles (1867) Arthur (1875), Edmund (1874) missing Edith (1862, who married Henry Baring Powel) Back to ALL Bios

  • Smith, Arthur Carington

    "Uncle Art" was a legendary character and sailor Smith, Arthur Carington "Uncle Art" was a legendary character and sailor Back to ALL Bios Arthur Carington Smith 1875-1952 Arthur was born in Quebec City in 1875, the sixth son of Robert Herbert Smith and Amelia Jane LeMesurier. His older brothers were Robert, Herbert, Charles, George and Edmund. He also had two sisters, Edith and Blanche. He attended the Royal Military College in Kingston. He married Constance Naomi Hamilton also of Quebec City. They had one son, Hugh Hamilton Smith 1909 - 1974. Arthur played hockey for the Quebec Bulldogs and was a prolific goal scorer. He was influential in the introduction of netting between the goal posts to ensure the confirmation of goals scored! He served overseas in the first World War with the Royal Rifles. Arthur was a banker but ended up his career as a stock broker for Greenshields in Quebec City. As with all the Smith boys, his true love was Tadoussac and his boat the Empress of Tadoussac. He was the favourite uncle to a large number of Smith and Price offspring. To be invited to sail with Uncle Art was the highlight of the summer. The stories of adventures on the Empress are legends. Eve Wickwire Photos Jack and Doris Molson with Arthur Smith The Empresses of Tadoussac I and II Arthur Smith with Nancy?, Trevor Evans, Phoebe Evans (Skutezky), R Lewis Evans, and in front, Ainslie Evans (Stephen) ~1930's Back to ALL Bios

  • Villeneuve, Joseph & Rita Gingras

    Joseph et Rita ont réuni la communauté de Tadoussac pour partager la culture de leur époque. Joseph and Rita brought the Tadoussac community together to share in the culture of their time Villeneuve, Joseph & Rita Gingras Joseph et Rita ont réuni la communauté de Tadoussac pour partager la culture de leur époque. Joseph and Rita brought the Tadoussac community together to share in the culture of their time Back to ALL Bios Joseph Villeneuve 1904 – 1960 et Rita Gingras 1917 - 1979 Joseph Villeneuve a épousé Antonia Olsen le 24 septembre, 1929. Antonia était fille de Gunder Olsen et Antonia Dallaire à Tadoussac et Joseph était fils de Mathias Villeneuve et Domitille Vezeau. Tragiquement, Antonia et son fils mourront, tous les deux, à la naissance de l’enfant. Ils étaient victimes d’un médecin qui ne savait rien des accouchements et aimait la vue du sang. Certains disent qu’il n’était pas médecin, mais brancardier pendant la Première Guerre Mondiale et qu’il avait appris à couper bras et jambes pour abrégner les souffrances des blessés. Plusieurs personnes plaignirent des mauvais traitements de cet homme. Il opera à froid de l’appendicite un jeune garçon de Tadoussac, les jours de ce jeune homme étaient comptés. Il a échappé à la mort par miracle et surtout grâce aux bons soins d’une infirmière. Joseph se remaria dix ans plus tard avec Rita Gingras. Rita Gingras est née le 5 février, 1917. Son père était René Gingras et sa mère Annette Morin de Sacré-Cœur. Dès l’âge de sept ans, elle prend des leçons de piano avec Madame Louis Jean et Mademoiselle Antonia Olsen, la première épouse de Joseph Villeneuve. Comme professeure attitrée, c’est Mère Marie-Laure-de-Jésus, des Petites Franciscaines de Marie, excellente musicienne, qui lui fera passer ses diplômes de musique au Conservatoire de Chicoutimi. A quinze ans, elle obtiendra son diplôme de brevet supérieure qui correspond aujourd’hui au bacchalauréat. Rita était reconnue pour son talent d’accompagnatrice. Elle pouvait suivre n’importe qui à la note que ce soit un chanteur, un accordéoniste, un violoniste ou un musicien quelconque … Elle pouvait donc transposer n’importe quelle pièce musicale dans une autre tonalité et les chanteurs et musiciens appréciaient cette grande souplesse plutôt rare chez les pianistes. Elle épousa Joseph Villeneuve le 30 septembre 1939, il était veuf depuis 1929. Elle aura six enfants : René, Reine, Gaby, (bien connu comme historienne local et auteur du livre d’où provient cette biographie) Roland, Gilles, et Chantale. Rita joua un grand rôle au sein de la communauté Tadoussacienne. Elle était très près des gens, elle jouait toutes les messes du dimanche, les mariages et les funérailles. Elle exerçait le choeur de chant pour les évènements importants de l’année tels Noel, le Jour de l’An, Pâques, les mois du Rosaire etc… Elle était partout, dans les pièces de théâtre, à l’école pour les fêtes d’enfants, dans les concerts et même dans les bars. Joseph était autodidate – il a appris plusieurs métiers par lui-même. Il a été gérant de la Banque Nationale pendant plusieurs années. Il avait appris son métier de technicien en lisant dans les livres et en s’instruisant auprès de son bon ami, électricien, Jos Brisson. Il réparait radio, grille-pain, fer à repasser, bouilloire électrique, télévision etc …Il a ouvert une salle de cinéma où il passait des filmes de Tino Rossi, Fernandel, Bourvil, Laurel et Hardy, et les premiers filmes américains en couleur - ça coûtait .50 pour les adultes et .10 pour les enfants. La salle était inconfortable, mais les gens s’engouffraient trois fois par semaine pour voir les « petites vues », du vendredi au dimanche. Il a travaillé aussi au magasin chez Villeneuve et Frères. C’est d’ailleurs là, derrière le comptoir qu’il est mort, foudroyé par une crise cardiaque. C’était en 1960 et il avait seulement 56 ans. Toute sa vie, Rita notera les principaux évènements de la paroisse, les baptêmes, mariages et décès. Les gens se fiaient sur elle et ils avaient raison de le faire, elle était toujours dévouée et à son poste, prête à rendre service. C’est ce qu’elle fera jusqu’à la fin! Elle joua son dernier service funéraire le 14 septembre, 1979, alors qu’elle était très malade et décèdera le 11 décembre de la même année. Comme aimait à dire les gens du village après sa mort : « Elle en a marié du monde et elle en a enterré ». Elle accumulera la correspondance la plus importante et gardera précieusement les photographies de famille. Malheureusement, lors de l’expropriation de sa maison en 1971, beaucoup de ces documents précieux furent brulés dans la cour de la maison. Toutefois, elle a pu sauver les plus importants comme sa collection de partitions musicales. Rita savait communiquer à sa famille l'amour du passé, l'amour des choses anciennes, des traditions et des ancêtres. En 1979, l’abbé Jean Chevalier, curé de Tadoussac, avait demandé au Pape Jean-Paul 1er, de lui envoyer sa bénédiction papale en remerciement des 50 années qu’elle avait données à la paroisse. Il ne l’a reçue qu’au printemps, il était trop tard, la mort était déjà passée, même si, comme elle l’a dit pendant qu’elle était malade, elle avait encore des choses à faire... De : Les Vielles Familles de Tadoussac 1850 – 1950 par Gaby Villeneuve Joseph Villeneuve 1904 – 1960 et Rita Gingras 1917 - 1979 Joseph and Rita brought the Tadoussac community together to share in the culture of their time Joseph Villeneuve married Antonia Olsen on the 24th of September, 1929. Antonia was the daughter of Gunder Olsen et Antonia Dallaire in Tadoussac, and Joseph was the son of Mathias Villeneuve and Domitille Vezeau. Tragically, in childbirth, both Joseph’s wife, Antonia, and their son died. They were the victims of a “doctor” who knew nothing of birthing and was said to have loved the sight of blood. People said that he wasn’t a doctor, but had been a stretcher-bearer during the First World War and that he had been taught to amputate arms and legs to lessen the injuries of the wounded. Several people complained of bad treatments from this man. He operated on the appendix of a young boy in Tadoussac who nearly died as a result. The boy barely survived, mostly thanks to the good care of a nurse. Joseph was a widower for 10 years until he married Rita Gingras. Rita Gingras was born on February 5th, 1917. Her father was René Gingras and her mother was Annette Morin of Sacré-Cœur. From the age of 7 Rita took piano lessons with Madame Louis Jean and Mademoiselle Antonia Olsen, Joseph’s first wife. As a regular teacher it was Mother Marie-Laure-de-Jésus, of the Petites Franciscaines of Marie, an excellent musician, that helped her pass her diplomas of music at the Conservatoire de Chicoutimi. At 15 years old, she obtained her Superior Brevet Diploma which is the equivalent of a Baccalaureate today. Rita was recognized for her talent as an accompanist. She could follow any note from a singer, an accordionist, a violinist or any musician. She could transpose any piece of music into another tone and the singers and musicians appreciated this great flexibility which is rare among pianists. Rita married Joseph Villeneuve on the 30th of September, 1939, after he had been a widower for ten years. They had six children: René, Reine, Gaby, (well-known as a local historian and author of the book this biography came from) Roland, Gilles, and Chantale. Rita played a big role in the heart of the Tadoussac community. She was very close to the people and she played for all the Sunday Masses, the weddings and the funerals. She ran the choir practices for the special events of the year like Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, and the months of the Rosary. She was everywhere, involved with the theatre productions, at the school for the children’s partes, in the concerts, and even in the bars. Joseph was self-taught and learned many different trades by himself. He was manager of the National Bank for several years. He learned how to be a technician by reading books and by having instruction from his good friend, Jos Brisson, an electrician. He repaired radios, toasters, irons, electric kettles, televisions and other small appliances. He opened a movie house where he showed films of Tino Rossi, Fernandel, Bourvil, Laurel and Hardy, and the first American films in colour. They cost 50 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. The room was uncomfortable, but people filled it three times a week to see the "little shows", from Friday to Sunday. He also worked in the store at Villeneuve et Frères. It was there behind the counter that he died, struck down by a heart attack. It was 1960 and he was only 56 years old. All her life Rita played for the main events of the parish: the baptisms, the weddings and the funerals. People relied on her and they had reason to. She was always devoted to her work, ready to offer service. She did it right up until the end! She played her last service – a funeral – on the 14th of September, 1979. Then she became very sick and died on the 11th of December of the same year. As the people in the village liked to say: “She married everybody and buried everybody!” Rita kept a collection of the most important correspondence that she received and the precious photographs of the family. Sadly, during the expropriation of her house in 1971, many of these precious documents were burned in the heart of the house. Fortunately, she did save the most important pieces including her music. Rita passed on to her family her love of the past, her love of ancient things, and the traditions of the ancestors. In 1979, Fr Jean Chevalier, the priest of Tadoussac, asked Pope John-Paul 1st to send Rita a Papal Blessing and thanks for her 50 years of service to the church. It wasn’t received until the spring – it was too late – her death had already happened, even though as she said while she was sick, she still had things to do! From : Les Vielles Familles de Tadoussac 1850 – 1950 by Gaby Villeneuve Back to ALL Bios

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  • Powel, Julia

    Full of fun, Julia Powel was great friends with the Rhodes and Russell children Powel, Julia Full of fun, Julia Powel was great friends with the Rhodes and Russell children Back to ALL Bios Julia Powel – 1851 - 1904 (some notes about her from Godfrey Rhodes Diary) Julia DeVeaux Powel Peters was born in 1851, in Pennsylvania, to Robert Hare Powel and Amy Smedley Powel. She was the oldest of six children. Her family lived in Philadelphia and spent time in Quebec City and during the summer, in Tadoussac. Julia’s father was a good friend of William Rhodes and Willis Russel and he built the house that later became the Baileys’. Julia was the same age as Godfrey and William Rhodes and William Russell, and they spent some happy years growing up together. Their family houses in Tadoussac were in a row next to each other. Julia was very popular and outgoing. The boys led an active outdoor life boating and fishing and she would join them, rowing up the Saguenay and sometimes camping overnight at St Etienne. (The girls had their own tent!) In the evenings when the young gathered at the Powel’s or Russell’s houses for dancing and singing, Julia was featured doing waltzes, gallops, and the “jig” with the group. At a Grand Concert and Charade held at the Hotel on July 22, 1870, Julia was one of the performers along with Godfrey Rhodes, Jim Gordon and Pete Meredith. Julia was actively involved with the Tadoussac Chapel and sang in the choir on Sunday’s with Godfrey and Willie Rhodes. When her family were in Quebec City she joined in the social life of parties and teas, came for dinner at Cataraqui and played cards in the evenings with the Rhodes, and Russells. One day, according to Godfrey, “she drove the cart like a bird and broke a shaft, jamming it at St. John’s Gate”. Julia married Samuel Winslow Miller Peters from Virginia in 1874 at age 22, in Pennsylvania. They had 2 daughters: Mary Louisa Miller Peters (1876), and Amy Powel Peters (1882). Back to ALL Bios

  • Russell, Willis & Rebecca Page (Sanborn)

    First generation summer residents who built Spruce Cliff Cottage Russell, Willis & Rebecca Page (Sanborn) First generation summer residents who built Spruce Cliff Cottage Back to ALL Bios Willis Russell 1814-1887 & Rebecca Page (Sanborn) 1813-1889 Willis Russell came originally from Vermont where he had been associated with his brothers in the paper, pulp, and lumber business. Willis married Rebecca Page (Sanborn) who descended from a long line of early New England colonists. Rebecca’s great grandfather, Lieutenant John Sanborn, was born in Norfolk, England in about 1620 and emigrated to the colonies in 1632 with the Rev. Stephen Bachiler party on the ship William and Frances, settling in Hampton, New Hampshire, the town having been founded by Rev. Bachiler. Many generations later, Rebecca Page Sanborn was born in 1813 in Sanbornton, NH to John Sanborn and Dorcas Nelson. Not much is known about Rebecca herself other than she married Willis in Franklin, NH in 1835 and eight years later they relocated to Quebec City where she and Willis lived until 1887 when he died and she died a year later at age seventy-five. An interesting historical note: Rebecca was distantly related to Thomas Nelson Page, the US Ambassador to Italy during the First World War and a direct descendant of the Virginian, Thomas Nelson Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Willis and Rebecca had six children: Mary, William, Charles, Ellen, Arthur, and Agnes. Mary and William are the ones whose descendants have continued to come to Tadoussac. After being sent by his family to Quebec to investigate business opportunities there, Willis remained a resident of Quebec City throughout the rest of his life and found himself in the hotel business, owning the St. Louis, the Albion, and the Russell House (now the Clarendon). The missal stand on the chapel altar on which the prayer book rests is made from an oak beam taken from the St. Louis Hotel when it was demolished to make room for the Chateau Frontenac. When the doctor recommended sea air for Willis’s ailing daughter, his friend Colonel Rhodes of Quebec suggested they try Tadoussac. The two men bought lots beside each other in 1860 so they could continue the friendship of the two families. Rhodes built immediately and Russell the next year. His order to the builder was “build a house just like William Rhodes’s house.” Subsequently, the Ste. Marguerite Salmon Club was founded in 1885 by Willis Russell and Robert Powel of Philadelphia and the three men could adjourn to the Marguerite River for salmon fishing. The Salmon Club leased all the rights on the Marguerite River along which they built six cottages. One of these, known as Bardsville, still stands. A big promoter of Quebec tourism, Willis Russell wrote a book on the history of Quebec which can still be bought on Amazon (Quebec; as it was and as it is). Willis Russell was involved with the Tadoussac Hotel and Sea Bathing Company which opened the original hotel in 1864. He lived in Quebec City for forty-five uninterrupted years. He is buried in Mt. Hermon Cemetery. Susie (Scott) Bruemmer, Willis and Rebecca’s great-great-granddaughter, now owns the property known as Spruce Cliff near the Tadoussac Tennis Club. The Dewarts, Reilleys, and O’Neills who all spend time in the summer in Tad in their own cottages are also direct descendants of Willis and Rebecca Russell.   Back to ALL Bios

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