The story of Edmond Messier and Elsie Margaret Smith's family

On May 16, 2010, I asked Lorraine Messier, from Edmonton, AB, to tell me what she known about the members of her family including uncles and aunts. On fallowing May 22, I received an answer from her brother Raymond:

« My father Edmond, has been a farmer up to 1929. After that, he went to work in the oil patch up to his retirement at the age of 65, around 1963.

I don't know much about my father's brothers and sisters. One of them has been a business man as a garage keeper, sell properties, etc. My aunts were very busy to keep their house clean in raising their children as it was usual at that time.

My oldest brother, Leonard has occupied many fonctions for the oil entreprises, especially in Alberta and in United States. At the end of his career, he moved to Vancouver where he worked in the real estate up to his retirement. He has 6 children.

My sister Lorraine had three children with Gilbert Bellavance. She is a very active lady giving many hours of volunteer work for local organizations.

Douglas is the father of 4 children including Mark, the famous hockey player, was very involved in the hockey area. After completing his secondary education, he went to the Notre Dame University for a year. After that, he played hockey with the Edmonton, Oil Kings. He got married and went to play hockey to Nottingham, England, where he lived a year. His oldest son, Paul born there. He came back to Edmonton to complete his education at the Alberta University. During his three years of training, he played for Lacombe Rockets for the Alberta senior league. Fallowing graduation, he played for the Edmonton Flyers of the West professionnal ligue. At that time, Flyers belonged to the Detroit Red Wings. During a few years, he played for a professionnal club of Portland and he became Chair of the Player's Association. He terminated his career like player. Again, after a few years, he came back to Edmonton to teach. As you can see, Doug has always been close to the hockey at several levels. After his participation like a player, he enjoys to make training and he has a lot of success. Later, he moved to Hilton Head, SC, where he remains today. Regularly, we can see Douglas run a Pee Wee hockey team at Quebec city. This year, his assistant coach was Mark, the famous hockey player.

After finishing his studies, Lawrence has held several positions before going to the real estate where he had a lot of success. Sadly, he died to young in 1989 at the age of 50. He has 3 children.

After completing his education, the youngest of my brothers, Victor, received a Diploma in Physical Education from the Alberta University. He travelled in Europe during 2 years before attending to the Pennsylvania University where he earned a doctorate in Psychology. After that, he teached at the New Hampshire University until his retirement. Now, he lives in Honolulu.

As for me, Raymond, Diplomas from Alberta University and Portland University allowed me to teach at the Edmonton school board. Later, I became principal of schools until my retirement. I have 4 children. »

In July, Lorraine completed some informations about her family.

« My father, Edmond Messier is born on December 23, 1898 in St. Hilaire, QC, and he died on July 23, 1966 in Edmonton, AB.

My mother, Elsie Margaret Smith, is born on March 1908 in Kronau, SK, and died on October 11, 1995 in Edmonton, AB. They are buried with Lawrence in the family land at the Edmonton, Holy Cross of St. Albert cemetery.

Members of my family have always been attracted by the sport. My father and my mother played curling as skip. Hockey took much space in our life. I remember, a certain day among others, after a game where Leonard my brother was involved, my father came back home unable to talk having encouraged to much his son's team. Raymond curl as a skip since many years. In addition, him et his wife play golf.

I have also played curling, baseball, basketball, golf, bowling, bridge and  practiced tap dancing. I have given volunteer work for the "Jeannette" where my girls have been members. During many years, I was involved in the Catholic Women Ligue (CWL), indeed I am still a member. I occupied the post of Secretary and in charge of the membership. I was the Secretary and President of the South West Outreach Society where I am member since 1998. Now, I am a part of the executive and of the choir. At the beginning of '80, I joined the St. Ignace spiritual exercices. Now, this Association of shearing faith is extraordinary vibrant.

After finishing school, I took a course to improve my administration knowledge and corporate accounting, etc., which promptly brought me in the business community. I worked for an auditor firm. This allowed me to acquire much experience in various areas. Finally, for 17 years, I have worked for a steel corporation up to my retirement on August 13, 1996. I saw a small company that simply started with a trailer and a pickup to become a large business. This fact was due to his president and owner, John, who has always treated his employes well. »

This document follows what has already appeared in « La Moisson » Vol. 19 no 4, Winter 2010 and Vol. 20 no 1, Spring 2010.

Réal Messier (85)