BIOGRAPHIE DE
HENRI ÉTIENNE ADOLPHE FÉLIX de SAVOYE
(written in French by Michel de Savoye, October 1992)
(translation by Google traduction – revised by Pierre de Savoye)
(pages 1-21 – archives GEN.E10.01)
Henri de Savoye was born on July 31, 1871, in Tannay, a small town in the Nièvre, about 200 kilometers south of Paris.
PARENTS
His father, Adolphe Ernest de Savoye, was born in 1830 in Blangy (Seine Inferior). At the age of 30, he lived in Amiens, where he was principal clerk of a notary, in order to learn his trade. He then came to settle in Tannay. Henri’s mother, Anne Charlotte Marie Aline Michel, was born in Prémery (Nièvre) in 1843, the daughter of Joseph Félix Michel, the owner of a department store in Tannay. She died in 1927.
Henri’s paternal grandfather,Adolphe de Savoye, was « Inspector of Crown Forests » (ie personal property of the King). Born in Aumale (Seine Inferior) on March 17, 1797, he lived in Compiègne and Villers-Cotterets. He died on May 6, 1861 in Saverne (Bas Rhin). His wife. Aimée Lemire, then a widow, went to live with her son in Tannay. When his father died in 1883, Henri was twelve years old. Two years later, in 1885, his mother married, as a second wedding, Jules Alphonse Francis Joseph Marie Mathieu, a notary.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
In 1885-1886, Henri was in the Third Class, at the College de Juilly (a renowned college, founded in 1638), located in
Seine et Marne, a few kilometers east of Paris. During the end-of-year exams, in July 1889, Henri obtained prizes of Honor and Excellence, as well as high marks in philosophy, history and geography, physics and chemistry, and natural history; in addition, he successfully undergoes the oral tests. And he obtained the DIPLOMA OF BACHELIER ES LETTRES, granted by the Minister of Public Instruction on October 26, 1889.
At that time, in 1889, the famous UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION was held in Paris, with the brand new EIFFEL TOWER. And Henri and his parents must have visited it.
UNIVERSITY OF FRANCE
Admitted to the University, Henri enrolled at the Faculty Faculty of Law of Paris Paris, school year 1889-1890. During the first examination
of Baccalaureate, held on November 8, 1890, his marks were very satisfactory. He then obtained the BACHELIER’S DIPLOMA IN LAW, dated September 20, 1891. And, gradually crossing the stages, he finally took the License Examination on July 5 and 6, 1893, which he passed successfully. And, on September 6, 1893, the Minister of Public Instruction granted him the DIPLÔMA OF LICENSEE IN LAW.
JOBS
On March 1, 1894, Henri was appointed « Supernumerary of Indirect Contributions », of the Ministry of Finance, with
residence in Dijon, Côte d’Or, with an annual salary of 1500 francs. And, in October 1895, he was appointed « Clerk« , with residence in Alfort, Department of the Seine.
Note: On June 20, 1896, Henri received an Official Certificate confirming his exemption from military service for infirmities, certificate duly stamped by the Sub-prefecture of Clamecy (Nièvre).
On May 4, 1897, Henri joined the State Railways Administration in Tours, as a » « 4th Class Interim » with an annual salary of 2100 francs. And, on April 16, 1899, he resigned, and this probably because he did not find sufficient motivation.
Note: Due to the nature of his functions, Henri had been required to provide a deposit of one thousand francs.
Also, he had to obtain and provide, dated December 21, 1897, a « Relevé-Extrait du Casier du Tribunal de Clamecy, Nièvre », to the effect that his criminal record was spotless. This « Statement » bears the official stamp of the said Tribunal, the signature of its Registrar, as well as the signature of the Public Prosecutor. In addition, there is the stamp of the Civil Court of First Instance of Tours, and the stamps of two Chief Engineers of the State Railways. (Bureaucracy!)
There was in Paris, in 1900, a new UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION, with its Grand and Petit Palais. And Henri and Paul visited it, accompanying their parents who now lived in Paris.
FIRST TRIP TO CANADA (1900)
The resignation of Henri from the Railways of the State could be explained by the fact that at that time, he would go to listen to a « missionary » named Pierre Foursin who made tempting speeches to groups of Parisian workers for to train them in Canada in the desolate regions of Montmartre and Lac Marguerite. Henri would have been so interested that he decided to go and pay a visit.
So, around April 1900, he left for Canada. It goes to the village of Indian Head (Montmartre region), about 40 miles east of Regina. The beauty of the country enchants him and he sees a challenge that he likes. The visit made, he returned to France. There he describes what he saw, praises it, and encourages his brother Paul, to accompany him there next year.
SECOND TRIP TO CANADA (1901)
So, in 1901, they both left for Canada. Arrived in Montreal, they stop there a little. There, Paul loses the taste for adventure and he decides to return to France. So they parted and Henri continued on his own to Indian Head. There he begins to explore the surroundings.
THE WEDDING
We notice that when Henri moves, he always brings with him his 28 caliber hunting rifle, a gray suitcase containing camera and accessories, as well as a sturdy box with his books and precious documents. He is therefore well enough prepared to face the adventure.
Leaving Indian Head, Henri heads north and there, a few miles away is the Qu’Appelle River, the valley of which is magnificent. He stops in this region, where he meets Marie Tourond who lives with her mother and her stepfather in File Hills (today Balcarres). She is almost 24 years old and very pretty. They see each other, fall in love and, around July 1902, they get married. (But, for this, Henri had to obtain the notarized consent of his mother, Charlotte Mathieu. The Act, passed in Paris on June 26, 1902, bears his signature and those of two witnesses, as well as the stamp and signature of the notary. In addition, the legitimacy of this document is certified by the stamp and legalizing signature of four (4) « Authorities » in Paris, including: -the Judiciary-the Government-Ministry of Foreign Affairs-the British Consulate.)
A HISTORICAL LINK
As in the novels, each chapter brings its share of surprises. Likewise, during this marriage, Henri learned things worthy of interest, relative to the Rebellion of 1885. It is that, when Louis Riel arrived in Batoche, he formed a « Provisional Government », comprising a small group. of « Advisors », one of whom, Gabriel Dumont, was named « Adjutant-Général ».
And here’s the hot point. One of Riel’s main Advisors in Batoche was Marie’s father, David Tourond (d.1888). And Marie, although she was only 9 at the time, she was a gold mine of information.
This is something very interesting. We had to go to Batoche. Besides, there were still members of the family there, among others Marie’s paternal grandmother. So, crossing the roughly 170-mile distance, the young couple made it to Batoche.
BATOCHE
It was here, in Batoche, on July 5, 1903, that Marie gave him a son, named Louis Adolphe. What joy! And it is certain that Henri took pictures of the baby and of Mary. Moreover, fond of photography, he undoubtedly took the opportunity of his stay in Batoche to take several photos and give them as a gift. So he went to photograph Gabriel Dumont.
But, to live, you needed better than that. Hearing that a railroad branch was being built southeast of Regina. Henri thought that this would bring activity to this region and therefore opportunities for doing business. As soon as thought, as soon as done! And the little family moved to Francis, about 200 miles from Batoche, and about 40 miles southeast of Regina.
FRANCIS
It seems that it was in Francis that Henri met a Frenchman named Lucien Plisson, and that together, they set up a liquor business. The basic elements were brought in: alcohol, essences, bottles, various labels, etc., so everything needed to please the thirsty. But, the most important fact, is that Marie chose to give birth here, to a second boy, named George Charles, on September 21, 1904. What happiness! And we probably took out a bottle of « Champagne » to celebrate this event. But, as the business of commerce was not prosperous, Henri decided to move his family some ten miles to the south, to Tyvan.
TYVAN
As soon as he arrived in Tyvan in the fall of 1904, Henri had to see to the accommodation of his family. It seems he was the one who built Tyvan’s first house. And that with a small stable at the back. (The few other people already in Tyvan were single and lived in their businesses.) Very resolutely, Henry organized a lumber yard, to sell to the new residents whom the railway was to bring in. Also, while taking pictures of the surroundings, he announced his photography studio. Moreover, he would have even opened a small confectionery. Energetic and courageous, Henri did everything to succeed, but there weren’t enough people in Tyvan for it to work. So in late 1907 he again moved his family, this time about 280 miles, to Medicine Hat, Alta.
Arriving in Medicine Hat, the small family stayed in a two-story house, located on a small street where all the houses were the same.
To earn a living, Henri announced himself to be a photographer, and his stationery carried the inscription: « De Savoye Studio, Medicine Hat, Portraits, Views, Postcards, Amateur Work ». Actively working, Henri photographed anything that could relate, such as a railway accident, and the large passenger boat that sailed on the South Saskachewan River. Also, he made postcards out of them.
But apart from that, the fact of prime importance is that on June 5, 1908, in Medicine Hat, Marie gave birth to her third son, who was named Félix Michel. Ah! What joy! And we had to take several photos.
It was around this time that something funny happened. Late one evening, on his way back from his studio, Henri entered his house, climbed the stairs and, without opening the light, entered the bedroom … of his neighbors. Imagine the confusion, the profuse apologies, soon followed by general hilarity. Henri had simply taken the wrong house!
As for his work, Henri realized that photography was not enough to support his family. So he decided to pack up once again, to travel over 300 miles and get to Edmonton.
So many miles traveled by Henri and Marie since their marriage … a good thousand miles … and that in spite of the difficult conditions of travel at that time!
EDMONTON
Edmonton was a large city with the population mostly found near the central parts. Being the capital of the newly formed Province of Alberta, it could be expected to grow in importance. And that’s probably why Henri wanted to take his family there. We arrived there towards the end of 1908. The family, which now numbered five, stayed in a small and comfortable house at 641 113th Street (old numbering), quite close to the center of town. And almost immediately Henri found work as an accountant with a major wholesale merchant, « Revillon Wholesale Ltd« . Although Henri easily did his job, he found it monotonous and uninteresting. So, around September 1912, he resigned.
TEACHING
Having received several requests for French lessons, Henri thought it could become an interesting activity. So, from 1912 to 1918, he gave private lessons. He also organized French conversation classes, first in 1913-1914 at the Y.M.C.A. Edmonton, then also from 1913 to 1918 at Alberta College North.
At the beginning of 1914, Henri moved his family to a new and modern house, located in a nice residential area, at number 10327, 122nd street.
Now here is a historical fact. Because it is here, on April 8, 1916, that the only daughter of the family, baptized France Victoire Marguerite, was born. Of course, the first two names expressed a patriotic wish, given France at war.
During these years, Henri had to find perks in order to increase his income. He occasionally wrote for the only French newspaper in Edmonton, the weekly « L’Union ». In addition, at some point around 1915, he worked for a photographer, the McDermid Studio, retouching the pictures.
And photography still interested him, and this so much that, in the fall of 1917, he tried to open his own studio. But this project was cut short by his military duty.
Before going any further, let’s stop for a moment to say that, despite the ups and downs of life, Henri constantly looked after the well-being of his family. We often received friends and visited them. In summer, picnics were organized and, naturally, there were photography poses.
MILITARY DUTY
Henri was a Canadian citizen, having received his Certificate of Naturalization on November 2, 1904, from the Supreme Court in Regina. However, under French law, he was still subject to French military service. And given that the state of war had become very difficult in France, the Consul General of France in Canada gave Henri, on February 26, 1917, an order to call up to the flag , and to report to Montreal at most. late March 15, 1917.
At that time, Henri was almost 46 years old and he was the father of a family of 4 children, aged almost 2, 10, 13 and 14 years old. If he had had 5 children, he would have been exempt. But, by pleading his case, he was able to delay the departure date until
February 11, 1918.
Preparing for departure is never easy. First, the house had been acquired on a mortgage, and during his absence, the soldier’s pay and the military family allowance would not be enough to meet the mortgage payments while supporting his family. So reluctantly he had to sacrifice the house. He then moved his family to a good, spacious house nearby at 12118 105th Avenue.
And there were a lot of uncertainties. While crossing the Atlantic, would his boat avoid German submarine attacks? In France, there would be the possibility of being injured or even killed. Moreover, there was no way to predict the length of the war. So he had to take care of a lot of things in order to leave his family as little trouble as possible.
Finally, it is the difficult separation and the great departure.Henri goes first to Montreal, then to New York where he embarks on a vessel which takes him to France, and there he is driven to the big city. port of Bordeaux.
BORDEAUX
Arrived in Bordeaux at the end of February 1918, Henri is listed as being « Soldier Etienne de Savoye, Class of 1891, 144th Infantry Regiment, 29th Company ». Classified « auxiliary », he was employed, from April, as secretary of the Depot of his regiment, office of the Captain Treasurer at the Faucher Barracks.
Bordeaux is full of Americans. And in the evening, we see trains arriving full of wounded, all Americans. At the Depot, Henri keeps busy. He gives French lessons to groups of American officers. And, oddly enough, since there are so many Americans, a lot of residents want to learn English. So much so that Henri also gave English lessons, even to the cook; the latter rewards him by providing him with surplus good meat!
At a certain point, he was assigned to the kitchen, to provide the wood. So, early in the morning, he logs for a couple of hours before lunch … and this allows him to have his meals in the kitchen, instead of the refectory. So he can have his fill and even have a glass of wine with every meal!
Everyone is kind to him. If we ask him to do an errand outside, we tell him: « If you don’t mind! Only go if it pleases you ». He feels so happy that, for a bit, he wishes the war would last! And as a joke, he says the allies were lucky he came to help them wage war!
He made a good friend in Bordeaux, Robert Vergés, who lives at 26 rue Barthélémy. He sometimes has supper at home. In good weather, they take country walks to breathe the fresh air. Everywhere, we see only Americans, each with his (French) girl. (And they don’t leave any for the French soldiers!).
Around October, he is authorized to go to Paris, which is 550 km away. Obviously, he brings with him a full bag of rare foods and treats. He spent a beautiful week with his brother Paul and his mother Charlotte. Paul tries to convince Henri to stay in France, but without success; so he thinks of accompanying Henri if he goes to the United States.
Gradually, we feel the end of the war approaching. And Henri foresees that there will be difficulties when he returns home, that it would take a long time to rebuild a clientele. He wrote to his wife that, to facilitate the transition,
he will seek to find a situation in an institution.
He then took steps, through the Civil Cabinet of the Ministry of War, with the Alliance Française. This is a recognized public utility company for the propagation of the French language in the colonies and abroad.
In a short time, he received the names of two American colleges which requested French teachers, including one in Tennessee and the other in New Jersey. To the latter, he sends his job application, including a photo and certified copies of his diplomas and letters of attestation. After a few days, he received a positive response of acceptance, inviting him to attend college, Blair Academy. in Blairstown, New Jersey, ASAP.
On the eve of leaving, a Major of the U.S. Marines gives him, on behalf of a whole group of officers, a letter of thanks for the excellent instruction given, and that accompanied by a gift!
On December 25, 1918, Henri received from the Ministry of War an official notice of the cancellation of his military stay. At the same time, he was given an « Authorization to Embark on a French Mail-Liner « , to go from Bordeaux to New York, in order to go to Blairstown, New Jersey, USA, and all expenses paid. (On the back, this document is stamped and signed by three authorities, including: (1) The American Consulate in Bordeaux. (2) The Special Port Commissioner. (3) The 3rd Military Sub-Intendance in Bordeaux, delivering a requisition of passage from Bordeaux to New York, on the Rochambeau liner, leaving on January 8, 1919.)
As soon as the Liner Rochambeau docked at the Port of New York, Henri was driven to Blairstown. This small town of about 1,500 people is located perhaps 60 miles from New York, near the northwest corner of the state of New Jersey, on the « 94 » side road, less than ten miles from the State of Pennsylvania. And this city undoubtedly owes its existence to the Blair Academy with its several educational buildings and dormitories.
On his arrival, Henri received a very kind welcome. And since the second semester had already started, he began to give his French lessons the next day, to everyone’s satisfaction.
Henri immediately liked the place, the mild climate, the beautiful vegetation and the fruit trees. He wondered if he should take his family there. But come to think of it, his heart, family and friends were out there in Western Canada. He was to return as soon as possible, probably towards the end of school in May 1920.
To facilitate the return, Henri foresaw the possibility of obtaining a position as a French professor in an important institution, such as the University of Alberta.
For some time now, the University had been well aware of his qualifications. And now Henry secured the support of the National Society of French Teachers of New York, which in May 1919 sent the Minister of Education of Alberta a letter of high recommendation. This seems to have had an effect because, soon after, Henri received a favorable response from the University, suggesting that a position might be offered to him shortly.
THE RETURN TO EDMONTON
Towards the end of May 1920, he returned. What a joy to be together, and in good health! Now we could start a real family life again. Because, during her absence of about 27 months (including 10 in Bordeaux and 17 in New Jersey), Marie had struggled on her own to bring up her 4 children well, and that with wartime rations, and through various diseases. infantile. Also, she had had to overcome the ravages of « Spanish influenza », this scourge which killed so many people, even more than all those killed in the Great War of 1914-1918.
Shortly after, Henri received the desired invitation, that is, to teach at the University. And, around the summer of 1921, in order to get closer to his job, he moved his family to 10630 74th Avenue. The new house, large and comfortable, was located south of the river, about a 25-minute walk from the University. And this walk provided Henry with the opportunity to take a little exercise.
About exercises … it must be said that Henri always believed in the benefits of exercises of all kinds. First, on the physical side, he did some walking, some gardening, and even a five-minute gymnastics morning and night. For the mind, he invented a series of reflection exercises. Then, as for the spiritual, he liked to spend a few moments doing theosophical meditation. In fact, in 1924, he registered as a member of « The Theosophical Society » headquartered in Madras, India. Marie often teased him about his belonging to this society because she, a good Catholic, had no confidence in it.
LTHE PROFESSOR … AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
Obviously, Henri’s entry into the professorship did not cause him any problem. And it goes without saying that his character and his success in teaching quickly earned him the respect of all senior members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of the University.
While teaching, Henri remained in constant contact with francophone circles, notably with the Association Canadienne Française de l’Alberta, or the « A.C.F.A. ».
In this regard, he was very busy with a section, « LE CERCLE JEANNE D’ARC », whose main goal was to encourage the study of French in schools where he gave certain French lessons to French speakers. . This encouragement was carried out by means of annual literary competitions, and the winners received « Diplomas » awarded by the Cercle Jeanne d’Arc and prizes, beautiful French volumes.
(The author of this Biography himself obtained four such diplomas, in 1922, 1924, 1925 and 1926; all bear the signatures of the Officers of the Circle, namely: « The President, Alex Lefort » and « The President of the Literary Section, Henri de Savoye « .)
(N.B .: Alex Lefort was at that time the Manager of Banque Canadienne Nationale in Edmonton. He was later called upon to assume a senior position at the bank’s head office in Montreal.)
Considering his various activities, Henri was often called upon to give « talks », either to groups of French teachers, or to the « French Club » of the University, or to local ACF.A meetings, etc.
Also, Henri’s attachment to the cause of French in Alberta led him to examine what was the « legal status » of this language in this environment. In this connection, he prepared a series of concise notes which trace, through the various relevant acts, laws and amendments, from 1759 until about 1925, the legal situation of the French language in Alberta. These notes were surely useful to him during talks and discussions at the ACF.A.
DÉCORATION: « ACADEMY OFFICER »
Henri’s efforts to spread the French language did not go unnoticed. Indeed. The French Republic conferred on him, at the beginning of 1923, the following decoration: « The Minister of Public Instruction and Fine Arts, appointed, on February 10, 1923, Monsieur de Savoye, Etienne Adolphe Félix Henri, Professor of French at the University of Alberta Canada, « ACADEMY OFFICER « .
GENERAL WELL-BEING
Around 1924, Henri moved again, this time to 10716 80th avenue, closer to the University and a short distance from where the tram passes.
Henri, a music lover, always had a piano in the living room and played there a little every day. He attended all the concerts given by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and often took one of his children there. Following her example, the children learned music..Louis played the clarinet..Michel took piano lessons..and France became an accomplished pianist.
Another thing. When there were a few free moments, we could take the chessboard out. Henri had shown the children the game of chess, and everyone was interested in it. And of course, over time, they sometimes managed to checkmate their father.
In summer, the family could go to spend Sunday afternoon in the park, by the river. And that was often the occasion for taking pictures. In summer, Henri found a way to rent a cottage by a lake, which allowed everyone to have a great vacation.
Obviously, over the years, the children began to leave the paternal home. However, even from afar, Henri was always there, making sure to encourage them and, if necessary, to come to their aid.
As the house grew a bit large, Henri moved around July 1929 to 10946 82nd avenue. This new home, smaller but very comfortable, is located even closer to the University.
DECORATION: « PUBLIC INSTRUCTION OFFICER »
The French Republic still followed Henri’s activities. And as a reward for his efforts in favor of the French language, she awarded him the following decoration: « The Minister of Public Instruction and Fine Arts appoints, on June 1, 1931, Monsieur de Savoye, Étienne, Professor of French to University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, « PUBLIC EDUCATION OFFICER « .
HELP FOR FRENCH TEACHERS
His many contacts with French teachers teaching in « High Schools » led Henri to want to fill a need often expressed, by creating a complement of interesting French reading, of progressive grammatical difficulty and having an explained vocabulary. He then published for sending to student groups subscribers, in many High Schools in Alberta and elsewhere: L’AVENIR: (1931 to 1935)
In the form of a booklet, this newspaper for students of the French language appeared monthly from September to June. In 1933, an elementary section entitled « Premier Pas » was added including a first year French grammar course, and this by means of a history of « Paul Auray et sa Famille » and, later, followed by the history of « Louis Rénal« . (N.B. Henri registered the copyright to these two stories.)
This newspaper gave way, in 1935, to LETTRES DE FRANCE: (1935 to 1938).
These letters, two a week, were supposed to be written by a brother and sister living in Paris, telling their friends in Canada the details of their lives, a description of the monuments in Paris, as well as the places where they spend their vacations.
And around 1938, these letters gave way to NEWS FROM THE WORLD: (1938 to 1942).
An interesting current news sheet published twice a month. The mailings were accompanied by a separate sheet for the teacher’s use.
Also, in 1932, he published a small manual of LA CONVERSATION FRANÇAISE (for students of higher schools). This booklet consisted of 3 parts, including: (1) sound symbols, (2) practical conversation exercises and (3), general rules of French pronunciation.
FRENCH CONVERSATION COURSE..On the radio
In order to reach even more people, around 1932-1933, Henri gave French conversation lessons at Radio CKUA on Mondays and Fridays, from 5.30 to 6.00 p.m.
RETIREMENT
Henri was retired in 1940, just as his 70th birthday approached. It was a well-deserved retirement, after about twenty years of teaching. But that did not stop his activities because he continued to receive requests for private lessons, and that until around his 85th year!
CHILDREN
Here it might be appropriate to say a few words about children. First George, who was very fond of adventure, went to the United States at the age of 17, where he enlisted in the U.S. Marines; this allowed him to travel a lot and see several countries; Satisfied after 8 years, he returned to Edmonton in the fall of 1929.
Louis, after having obtained his engineering degree in 1924, first went to New York where he worked for Brooklyn Edison, then he went to settle in Montreal.
Michel, who had taught for two years in Alberta, joined Louis in Montreal in 1929. The two married, Louis in 1933 and Michel in 1939. As for France, she married in 1939 with Robert McDonald Hardy ( Bob), a young engineer who, seven years later, assumed the position of Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta.
THE VISIT TO MONTREAL
In 1942, in the midst of the war, Bob was asked to spend the summer in Montreal to do some expertise. And France took the opportunity to invite Henri and Marie to accompany them. As they would travel by car, passing through highways in the northern United States, it was necessary to document themselves in order to avoid any border difficulties. Then Henri obtained a new Certificate of Naturalisation (dated April 24, 1942, with mention of the old certificate of November 2, 1904). Also, he obtained a Passeport, for himself and Marie, dated April 29, 1942.
Arrived in Montreal towards the end of May, the four stayed in a large house, furnished and comfortable, located on the edge of a park. You can imagine how happy the reunion was, at Louis and Jean (with their three children), and at Michel and Henriette (whose first child was only due in November). There followed a whole round of visits and dinners.
When Bob was at work, France used the car to show Henri and Marie around the city. Often, Henri would go alone, on foot or by tram, to see how much the city had changed since his last visit, in 1918! He quickly realized that it was no longer the same small town, especially when, after taking a tram in the middle of rush hour, he discovered that a pickpocket had stolen his wallet. Fortunately, his papers had remained at home!
Finally, it was the end of the holidays. And, around mid-August, we had to say goodbye … and Henri and Marie, as well as Bob and France, were reluctantly taking the long road back.
VISIT TO VANCOUVER
As we have already seen, Henry was very interested in theosophical questions. Every Wednesday evening he took part in discussions at the Theosophical Lodge in Edmonton. And when he went to Vancouver in November 1944, it was no doubt at the invitation of a group of interested parties, to give a talk on a particular theosophical subject.
RETURN TO UNIVERSITY IN 1945
At the end of the 1939-1945 war, many soldiers rushed to register at the University upon their return from the front. This had the effect of considerably increasing the number of pupils, so that there was a lack of teachers. To deal with this situation, the University appealed to its retired professors. Thus recalled in 1945, Henri still gave lessons for almost a year.
WE ARE MOVING AGAIN
In 1946, Henri and Marie left their home to stay at the « Casa Loma Apartments », Suite H, located at 10614 98th avenue. This building was on the north side of the river, very close to the city center. It was therefore very convenient for the outings of Henri and Marie, and also very practical for the students who continued to come to take private French lessons.
THE « EDITORIALS »
There is no shortage of occupations. Henri reads and writes a lot. From 1947 to 1949, he took pleasure in writing in-depth articles (editorials) on a multitude of topical subjects, in order to provoke the reader’s reflection. All these articles were published in various newspapers, most of them in « Le Clairon de St-Hyacinthe« .
CORRESPONDENCE
Henri spends part of his time studying. Occasionally, he goes with Marie for a walk in the park next door. He also does a lot of correspondence. He wrote to his brother Paul, in France, as well as to his children, Louis and Michel, who are in Quebec.
In 1952, he wrote this to Michel on the death of his dear wife, Henriette: « One should see in a human existence only a field of experiences with the aim of spiritual perfection. This is the final goal of every human being. We must see life from very high. Nothing is useless; all the difficulties and the breaks that we experience are necessary experiences which transform us, grow us, open our eyes, direct our eyes to the total light. We must see everything as a journey towards a supreme goal and consider all circumstances as the steps of a staircase that leads us to this goal. Then we accept the difficulties as necessary experiences, by which we are happy to to have passed, after one has passed there, because one realizes the spiritual progress which one has made thanks to these circumstances.
You will one day thank Providence for having made you go through the trials which you so courageously went through. It is also the feelings which animate me and illuminate the last stage of my present incarnation « . (H. de S.)
CHILDREN’S VISITS
Henri and Marie welcomed with joy the visits of their children who lived at the other end of the country. Their eldest son, Louis, traveled to Edmonton several times, from 1939 to 1962, for brief visits, sometimes with Jean and the children, Paul, Douglas and Gordon. Also, Michel, who had not been able to visit since the summer of 1931, had the pleasure of returning in July 1958, accompanied by his second wife, Annette, and his children Pierre and Robert.
And, it goes without saying, that Henry and Marie had constant visits from France, as well as that of George who, after his return from the United States in 1929, remained in Edmonton, except for a period around 1942-1943 when he went to help build the Alaska Highway.
THE DEATH OF MARIE
For some time now, Marie’s health had been declining, despite all the care and good advice given by Henri. At the end of 1958 and the beginning of 1959, his state of progressive weakness necessitated his hospitalization. At the age of 81, she passed away on the morning of April 28, 1959, surrounded by Henri, George, France and her children. During the funeral on April 30, there was a High Mass at Saint-Joachim Church, followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery; and also a whole flood of condolences and expressions of sympathy from Quebec and Edmonton, etc. After a long happy life together of nearly 57 years, his departure greatly affected Henri, both physically and mentally; at that time, Henri was about 88 years old!
THE MYSTERIOUS WISDOM
We have already seen that, for a long time, Henri had been very interested in theosophical questions. And over the years he had started to put together all his notes, fruits of his studies and reflections on direct knowledge and union of the mind with the Creator … and all to make a book out of it. which would be useful to supporters of Theosophy. Finally, around 1957, the book was almost finished. All that’s missing is one final overhaul, and the choice of what title to give it.
Now, in 1959, the last touches made, the book is finished, with the title « The Mysterious Wisdom« . Without delay, Henri has it printed, and he sees that it is very well distributed. (In this regard, his daughter, France, wrote to her brother, Michel: « There are hundreds of copies in all theosophical lodges in Canada and the United States »).
THE LAST YEARS
After Marie’s death, Henri would have liked to continue living in an apartment. He even thought he could still give French lessons there. But after a few months, the thing becoming impossible, France and Bob invited him to come and stay with them, at 11615 Edinboro Road, very close to the University. There he was well, having only to rest, to walk around, and to answer the letters received.
But, around May 1961, his declining health forced him to enter the « Good Samaritan Hospital », at 9666 70th avenue. Always lucid, he still made his correspondence there. Finally, following a fall that broke his hip, followed soon after by heart ailments, he passed away on January 3, 1963 at the age of 91, surrounded by all his family.
After the funeral service, which was attended by family members, as well as around ten people from The Theosophical Society, the body was cremated. Henry’s ashes were distributed by George, part strewn in the beautiful Sturgeon River valley (a valley that closely resembled that of the Qu’Appelle, so loved by Henry), and the other part buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, next to Marie.
EPILOGUE-I.
Soon after Henri passed away, George wrote this to his brother, Michel: « So now we are orphans! That’s life. We continue by remembering MAMAN and PAPA for their kindness and kindness. No one could have been able to. to have more wonderful parents! «
EPILOGUE-II.
In a letter he wrote to his son, Michel, on October 1, 1952, Henri explains how he became a « French teacher » Here is an excerpt:
« I only started teaching French after having for 15 years tried to make a living from all kinds of trades (liquor store, with M. Plisson, grocery store, photography, accountancy at Révillon). he same year that I arrived in Canada, a group of ladies from Indian-Head asked me to teach them French. I just sent them to hell. Then in Medicine Hat, the school-board me too. made overtures to teach French.
But I will tell you that even after arriving in Edmonton, I considered that the fact, for a Frenchman, of making his life teaching his language, was falling very low, showing the inability to earn his living on an equal footing. with English speaking people, struggling with these people on their own ground, ie. a profession that everyone can exploit. You see how stupid I was, how hard I worked, giving myself so much pain, and keeping my family in a much lower financial position. And this when the opportunities to launch myself into teaching French offered themselves to me. »
« So, when you are so blind to yourself, how do you give advice to others? And then after I ended up making a fairly sufficient living, I don’t regret the hardships I went through. I’m even glad that I had the opportunity to develop some qualities that I would not have developed if life had always been easy for me. »
« It is the final philosophy of life, the only thing that can make you happy. I am telling you all this because I think that it will also make you learn not to regret anything, but on the contrary, to be happy with everything, unhappy circumstances even more than happy ones, because these last can only leave regret, while the former give the assurance that life has not been wasted, since we have progressed. «
