Ernest J. Gallant

Originally from Notre-Dame-de-Kent, Ernest J. Gallant worked for 60 years for the economic, social and cultural development of his community.

He was president of the local school board from 1958 to 1961 and from 1964 to 1967. It was under his supervision that the Notre-Dame school was built in 1959. From then on, he worked tirelessly to welcome a community of nuns teachers in his parish. His persistence was rewarded in 1966 with the arrival of nuns from the Congregation of Notre-Dame.

In 1937, when he was only 22 years old, he became one of the founders of the Caisse populaire de Notre-Dame where he was manager from 1952 to 1973.

In order to allow young people in the region to practice sports and leisure activities, Mr. Gallant co-founded, in 1965, the Notre-Dame Athletic Club which today manages the parish community center.

Under his leadership, the Résidence de Notre-Dame, with its ten housing units, was built in 1985, in the heart of the village. He was a founding member of Council 9545 of the Knights of Columbus in 1987. He was just as active within the Notre-Dame Senior Citizens Club where he was treasurer from 1982 to 1993, that is to say until upon his death at the age of 78.

Ernest J. Gallant contributed greatly to the growth and prosperity of his community. He leaves an immeasurable legacy, rich in institutions and infrastructures, which even today ensure an exceptional quality of life for all the residents of Notre-Dame-de-Kent.

Despite his undeniable devotion to his region, Ernest J. Gallant was above all the husband of Émilienne (Cormier) and the father of their five children.