A Brief History of How I Learned About Édouard Monette
Édouard Monette
Photo in the 21 Oct 1932 Ottawa Citizen
Édouard Monette is my great-uncle; my grandmother Antoinette's brother. He died before I was born. My grandmother rarely spoke about her siblings of which she had many. It was only when I began researching my extended family tree did I learn that she was one of ten in her family. And it was only then did I learn about Édouard and his outstanding contribution as a builder in Ottawa. His father, Onésime, was a bricklayer, and Édouard and his brother, Napoléon, followed in their father's footsteps.
Édouard passed away at the relatively young age of 57 years. It was only when I found his obituary did I learn of the significance and importance of his contribution to building well-known structures in the City of Ottawa. His funeral was a major event in the city in 1932 and reflects his stature as an important builder of our city.
The pinnacle of his career has to be the construction of St. François D'Assise (St. François d'Assise) Catholic Church on Wellington. Now, whenever I pass this impressive structure on Wellington Street, I am reminded of the Edouard Monette, my great-uncle and the significant structures he built which formed an important part of our history growing up the City of Ottawa.
Ottawa Citizen Report on Edouard Monette's Funeral
Édouard Monette
Report on Edouard Monette's Funeral in the 24 Oct 1932 Ottawa Citizen
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