Richard, Antoine. Administrator and official. Mont Carmel, Prince Edward Island, May 27, 1930 -. Son of Jean J. Richard and Marianne Cormier; married to Denise Gallant, October 17, 1951; father of six children: Louis, Normand, Clarence, Marcella, Alice, Velma; paternal ancestors: Jérôme Richard and Marie Arsenault; maternal grandparents: Joseph Cormier and Marguerite Arsenault. School of Mont-Carmel, grades 1 to 9; Memramcook Institute, NB, animation class, April 1970.
John Richard Store, owner, for 15 years; Service Station Richard, owner, 18 years; car salesman, 2 years; the Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin Society, the first development agent, 1970-1975; Information Canada, Information Officer, 1975-1976; Federal Public Service: various positions including employment counsel for employers and office manager for Employment and Immigration Canada in Wellington; Acadian pioneer village, president and director.
Unit 5 School Board, President for eight years; The PEI School Boards Association, President; Acadian Museum, member of the Board of Directors; Commissioners of French-language schools in Canada, member of the board of directors; the Canadian School Boards Association, a member of the board of directors; National Society of Acadians, vice-president; Canadian Catholic Scout Movement for the Evangeline Region, Founder; Cultural Camp Tisou, pioneer and co-founder; Acadian Committee for the Evangeline Region, member for three years; Pastoral Council of Mont Carmel Parish, President, 1982-1983; the Baie-Egmont and Mont-Carmel Exhibition, director; Governors of Holland College, member of the Board of Directors; Holland College, Chairman of the Staff Committee; Holland College, member of the Finance Committee; Charlottetown Community School Center, President; Jeux de l’Acadie, vice-president; The Voix Acadienne, President; Acadian Festival, treasurer for two years; Canada Day (for Acadians of PEI), President of the Celebrations; Société Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin, president for four years; Acadian Bay Industrial Commission, member and president for one year; Club Richelieu International, Section of the Evangeline Region, Vice-Governor; Société Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin, president since June 1996.
Recipient of several merit awards: the Order of Francophones of America by the Conseil de la langue française, 1987; The Council of French Life in America, 1986; Acadian of the Year at the Festival acadien, 1985; Air Canada’s Golden Heart Award, and Léger Comeau Medal. Mr. Richard also sat on the following committees: Prince County Hospital, Chair; Rotary Club; member; Summerside Hospital Foundation, Member; PEI Health Policy Committee, Member; Evangeline Health Pilot Project Committee, Member. He was also adminstrator of the Le Chez-Nous ltée cooperative
On February 3, 1999, Antoine Richard becomes a member of the Order of Canada and is recognized for his leadership. It is said that this Acadian from Prince Edward Island, willingly supports initiatives that promote the development of education and culture of his compatriots. In particular, he played a key role in the Board of Directors of the Commissioners of French-Language Schools in Canada and the St-Thomas d’Aquin Society. Thanks to his efforts in several national and provincial organizations, he has become one of the most ardent spokespersons for Acadians in his region.
In 2002, Antoine received the Order of Acadian Merit from the Society of St-Thomas d’Aquin for having made a special contribution to the vitality of Acadian and Francophone Island life.
Sources: Société Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin, biographical notes; Denise Richard, Antoine Richard / Governor General’s Website / Research P. Richard