Honoré Bourgeois

Born November 23, 1886, in Cheticamp, Cape Breton, Honoré was the son of Philippe and Marie-Luce Bourgeois. Following his studies at the Collège Ste-Anne in Nova Scotia, he found himself without hope of local work. He therefore decided to join his friend Alexandre Doucet who was moving to New Brunswick.

Upon arrival in Moncton, he found employment in the offices of Massey-Harris. A few years later, his doctor advised him to move to a rural area because of his health. He therefore moved to Notre-Dame and joined his friend Alexandre. There, he met and married pretty Justine Bourque, daughter of Narcisse and Vitaline Bourque. The couple had six children, Thomas, Louis, Hervé, Ernest, Sister Doris and Rhéa.

An exemplary, generous and devoted man, Honoré Bourgeois made remarkable contributions to the Notre -Dame parish. As a schoolteacher, he took responsibilities to his students with great conviction and enthusiasm. In addition to his regular chasses of grades 1 to 8, he also offered free lessons after school and in the evenings to accommodate some students and ninth graders.

As an educated man, he kept books for the church as well as for several social organisations. He was also a cantor for Sunday and weekday Masses.

As a justice of the peace, he was an important resource for the village by preparing and authorising many legal documents.   He wrote letters to men working in the woods, at the request of their wives. He read correspondences and replies to the women who came to his house for news. He often mailed letters at his own expense.

As a farmer, he cultivated the land and planted a large apple orchard of 280 trees. He was also the manager of a Co-op store. And later in life, he was master of the train station for about ten years and until the station closed in 1955.

In the fall of 1936, Honoré Bourgeois was approached by his neighbour Mr. John Bourque who wanted information about credit unions. Thus began the journey into a credit union being formed in Notre-Dame. In July 1937, Honoré became the first manager of the Notre-Dame Credit Union which opened in his home. He remained manager until 1952.

Mr. Bourgeois died on November 25, 1960. It was a sad moment for the many who mourned him and remembered this distinguished man as a great benefactor, patriot and model of extraordinary devotion.