Obituary
Obituary & Picture Elmer Moreau
Write-up that appeared in an Almonte, Ontario paper upon the passing of Elmer
Moreau.
Elmer Moreau
Almonte Pioneer
Called by Death
Reached Great Age of 96 Years - Born in Quebec Province
On Sunday evening, Dec. 9th, there passed away at his home in Almonte, a grand old pioneer
so long associated with the life of the town and community that his death will be marked
by more than passing interest; in the person of Mr. Elmer Moreau.
The deceased was born in 1838 at St. Paul, Que., and had almost completed the century in
full possession of his every faculty.
While somewhat feeling the burden of his 96 years, he never was confined to his bed but
moved about under the constant affectionate care of his family and doctor, taking his
meals regularly and taking a keen interest in all about him.
Mr. Moreau was the son of the late Mr. Elmer Moreau, a Parisian Frenchman, who pioneered
the wilderness of Quebec, more than a century ago and about 70 years ago married Miss Catharine
Darlington of Masham, Quebec.
The late Mrs. Moreau who predeceased her husband in 1927 was an only surviving child of an
Irish family whose parents both died in that great tragedy at Grosse Isle at the mouth of
the St. Lawrence in 1847-1848, when over 1000 Irish immigrants succumbed to the ravages of
the plague.
Mr. and Mrs. Moreau lived for some years at Masham, Que., (Elmer Sr.), afterwards removing
to Waba near Arnprior, from which place they came to Almonte in the seventies.
The early part of his life was spent as a lumberman and river driver and the late Mr.
James Robertson, merchant of Almonte, under whose foremanship Mr. Moreau worked for the
Stewart Lumber Co., always spoke of him as one of the best river men in the Ottawa Valley
in the perilous work of running the rapids or breaking a jam.
During his active life in Almonte he was engaged in the cartage business.
His accent, unique character and many lovable qualities endeared him to a generation
of men and particularly young boys who now grown to manhood will mark his passing
with deep regret.
There were born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Moreau, nine sons and five daughters, Elmer
Jr. of Renfrew, who died in the service during the war; Joseph of Lewiston, Maine;
George of Almonte; David of Brockville; Peter of Chicago, U.S.A.; James and
Leo of Almonte; Albert of Detroit, Mich.; Philos of Winnipeg; Mary (Mrs. Henry
Devlin), Carleton Place; Lucy (Mrs. Geo. Devlin) of Peterborough; Miss Elizabeth of
Carlton Place; Agnes (Mrs. Martin Pautler), Preston, and one infant daughter died at
Almonte.
The funeral took place from his late residence, Bell St. on Tuesday morning to St.
Mary's Church at 8 A.M., where Requiem Mass was conducted by the Rev. Geo. O'Toole,
and interment was made in the St. Mary's Cemetery. The pallbearers were
Messrs. Dennis Nolan, Frank Desarmia, John Finners, Thomas Walker, Perry Clement and
John Ryan.
The sympathy of the community is extended to the family in the loss of they have
sustained.
Buried - St. Mary's RC Church Cemetery - Plot # 282, Lanark
County, Ramsay Township.
This is Rueben Bond and his grand-daughter Georgina (Gina) Wilson,
daughter of Christina (Bond) Wilson.
School Class picture 1942 - St. Mary's, Almonte, Ontario.
Vincent Morrow's and Margaret Morrow's surname should be
"Moreau".
Provided by: Roz: [email protected]
Posted: 14 May, 2003.