ABRAM-VILLAGE – March 17, 2024 – « What can we say about the eight entrepreneurs we are inducting tonight into our PEI Acadian and Francophone Business Hall of Fame! They have all accomplished so much over the decades – and all with a big co-operative and community-oriented heart, » said Janine Arsenault, spokesperson for the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI.

« We sincerely thank and congratulate them. It is a tremendous honour to place their names and photos on our wall of honour at the Rural Action Centre in Wellington. »

With these words, delivered at the start of the 2024 Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala in Abram-Village on March 16, Arsenault expressed the Chamber’s deep respect for the eight honorees: Alfred Arsenault from Urbainville Farms in Urbainville, the late Edward T. Arsenault of The Bottle Houses in Cape Egmont, Ernest Arsenault of Arsenault Painters in Abram-Village and Urbainville, the late Franky Arsenault from Franky’s Sawmill in St. Chrysostome, Joseph Caissie of Egmont Bay Seafood in Maximeville, John and Alphonse Arsenault of J.C. Drilling in St. Raphael, and Léo-Paul Arsenault of LP Electronics in Day’s Corner.

The eight inductees, or members of their families, accepted their induction certificates from Lieutenant-Governor Antoinette Perry, and their induction trophies from one of the Hall of Fame’s two 2024 Gold-level sponsors, Alfred Arsenault, general manager of Provincial Credit Union, or Pierre Gallant, board member of CBDC Central PEI.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTS

Gala co-host Jacob Mathieu explained that nominees for induction into the Hall of Fame had to have at least 25 years’ experience, since it is intended as a lifetime achievement award. Nominees could be working or retired. Posthumous nominations were also accepted.

« To date, we’ve inducted 28 people, » noted co-host Alecia Arsenault. « Tonight, we add eight more deserving entrepreneurs to give us a total of 36 people in our Hall of Fame. »

As biographies of the inductees were presented on the big screen, the record crowd of about 190 people saw how each had not only worked tirelessly toward the success of his business, but had also contributed greatly to his community, either through volunteer work or financial contributions to various causes.

GROUP PHOTO : Seen following the 2024 induction ceremony for the PEI Acadian and Francophone Business Hall of Fame are, seated, from left : inductee Léo-Paul Arsenault from LP Electronics, inductee Alfred Arsenault from Urbainville Farms, inductee Joseph Caissie from Egmont Bay Seafood, inductee Ernest Arsenault from Arsenault Painters, inductee Alphonse Arsenault from J.C. Drilling and Réjeanne Arsenault, representing her late father, inductee Edward Arsenault. Standing, from left, are sponsor Alfred Arsenault, general manager of the Provincial Credit Union (who presented four of the induction trophies), lieutenant governor Antoinette Perry (who presented induction certificates), inductee John Arsenault from J.C. Drilling, Edmond Arsenault, representing his late father, inductee Franky Arsenault from Franky’s Sawmill, Janine Arsenault, spokesperson of the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce, and sponsor Pierre Gallant, board member with the CBDC Central PEI, who also presented four of the trophies.

INDUCTEE BIOGRAPHIES

ALFRED ARSENAULT – Urbainville Farms

A former mailman, milkman and bus driver, Alfred Arsenault established Urbainville Farms in the mid-1980s and has continued to make it thrive. More than 40 years later, Urbainville Farmers is one of the largest potato farms on the Island. It is also one of the largest employers in the Evangeline region. A few years ago, the company bought the former Olde Barrel chip plant to turn it into a washing station for its own potatoes and those of other farmers. Although the business was transferred to his son Robert several years ago, Alfred continues to work on the farm almost full-time, even though he is well into his 80s.

PHOTO: Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry presents Alfred Arsenault of Urbainville Farms with his Hall of Fame induction certificate, while the other Alfred Arsenault, representing sponsor Provincial Credit Union, presents him with his trophy, in the presence of Janine Arsenault from the Acadian Chamber of Commerce.

THE LATE EDWARD T. ARSENAULT – The Bottle Houses

From 1980 to 1984, the late Edward T. Arsenault designed and built three small houses, giving new life to some 30,000 glass bottles. Curious onlookers and visitors would stop to admire his work, thereby creating The Bottle Houses, a must-see tourist attraction that has now existed for over 40 years in Cape Egmont. After the Second World War, Edward became a fisherman, a trade he practiced until his retirement. He also worked as a carpenter and built fishing boats. From 1950 to 1958, he operated the Cape Egmont lighthouse. In the mid ’60s, he helped establish the Acadian Pioneer Village and the Étoile de Mer Restaurant in Mont-Carmel, where he worked as manager for a time. He also helped build the Red Rock Beach cottages and canteen.

PHOTO: Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry presents Réjeanne Arsenault with her late father Edward T. Arsenault’s Hall of Fame induction certificate, while Pierre Arsenault accepts his father’s trophy from Janine Arsenault of CCAFLIPE and Alfred Arsenault, representing sponsor Provincial Credit Union.

ERNEST ARSENAULT – Arsenault Painters Ltd.

Ernest Arsenault went into business with Bud O’Brien in the ’70s to create a commercial painting company. In 1977, he purchased his partner’s shares and adopted the name Arsenault Painters Ltd. The company has specialized in interior and exterior painting of homes, apartment buildings and commercial buildings for over 46 years. As his four sons grew up, he invited them to come and work with him. They worked side by side in the family business for over 20 years; three of his four sons are still with the company today. Together, they have earned an impeccable reputation for high-quality work throughout the province.

PHOTO: Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry presents Ernest Arsenault of Arsenault Painters with his Hall of Fame induction certificate, while Alfred Arsenault, representing sponsor Provincial Credit Union, presents him with his trophy, in the presence of Janine Arsenault from the Acadian Chamber of Commerce.

THE LATE FRANKY ARSENAULT – Franky’s Sawmill

The late François J. Arsenault of St. Chrysostome, known locally as « Franky à José », built a sawmill with his father’s help in 1946. Without an official name, the business was simply known as “Franky’s Sawmill”. The mill quickly earned an excellent reputation throughout the province. When a fire destroyed the establishment in 1970, Arsenault simply rebuilt it. Franky retired due to illness in 1985, after 39 years of loyal service. His sons continued to pursue their father’s work for many years. Today, his granddaughters Janine and Janelle Arsenault operate the mill under the name Arsenault Family Lumber, with 25 employees and the same reputation for quality that was established 78 years ago.

PHOTO: Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry presents Claire Arsenault with her late father Franky Arsenault’s Hall of Fame induction certificate, while Edmond Arsenault accepts his father’s trophy from Alfred Arsenault, representing sponsor Provincial Credit Union, and Janine Arsenault from the Acadian Chamber of Commerce.

JOHN AND ALPHONSE ARSENAULT – J.C. Drilling

Brothers John and Alphonse Arsenault of St. Raphael went into business in the ’80s, buying a dump truck under contract to the provincial government. Their brother-in-law drove it while they each held down other full-time jobs. They offered this service for over 10 years. In 2006, they launched their own company, specializing in horizontal underground drilling. In other words, they dig tunnels in the ground and rock to install underground cables and water and sewer pipes of all sizes. Three years later, they formally incorporated their company under the name J.C. Drilling. John is mainly in charge of digging. Alphonse keeps all the machinery running smoothly.

PHOTO: Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry presents John Arsenault of J.C. Drilling with his Hall of Fame induction certificate, while Pierre Gallant, representing sponsor CBDC Central PEI, presents him with his trophy, assisted by Janine Arsenault from the Acadian Chamber of Commerce.

PHOTO: Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry presents Alphonse Arsenault of J.C. Drilling with his Hall of Fame induction certificate, while Pierre Gallant, representing sponsor CBDC Central PEI, presents him with his trophy, assisted by Janine Arsenault from the Acadian Chamber of Commerce.

JOSEPH « JOE » CAISSIE – Egmont Bay Seafood

Former fisherman and co-owner of Egmont Bay Seafood, Joseph « Joe » Caissie began his long career serving as a fisherman’s helper for a decade before becoming captain of his own boat. He fished a variety of species for 51 years. In addition, for about a decade, with his son Ronald, he co-owned and operated Egmont Bay Seafood and a herring smokehouse across the road from his home in Maximeville. He got into commercial sales because he saw a need in the community. With a total of five employees, he sold everything from lobster and crab to herring and other species such as mackerel, oysters, clams and mussels.

PHOTO: Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry and Pierre Gallant, representing sponsor CBDC Central PEI, present Joseph Caissie of Egmont Bay Seafood with his Hall of Fame induction certificate and trophy, assisted by Janine Arsenault from the Acadian Chamber of Commerce.

LÉO-PAUL ARSENAULT – LP Electronics

Léo-Paul Arsenault set up LPTV and Stereo in 1981, in the basement of his parents’ home, to repair televisions, radios, stereos and other electronics. From there, he moved the business into the attic of a house in Day’s Corner, before building a new home, repair shop and store, all in one building, right next door in Day’s Corner. In over 40 years, he has hired more than 60 employees. With the ever-changing electronics industry, the company, which had changed its name to LP Electronics, branched out into the installation of XplorNet satellite antennas, and high-speed Internet services. Having prepared his son Donald to take over in 2022, Léo-Paul sold him the company, which now operates under the name LP Internet Services, with Léo-Paul as an employee. Arsenault was the founding president of the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI.

PHOTO: Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry presents Léo-Paul Arsenault with his Hall of Fame induction certificate, while Pierre Gallant, representing sponsor CBDC Central PEI, presents him with his trophy, assisted by Janine Arsenault from the Acadian Chamber of Commerce.

-30-

 

 

For further information, please contact:
Raymond J. Arsenault
Coordinator, 2024 Entrepreneurs’ Gala
Manager, Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI
1-902-960-1285
raymond@rdeeipe.org