ABRAM-VILLAGE – Dec. 1, 2024 – In recognition of their invaluable contributions to the local economy and to their community, a tourism operator, a garage owner, a car salesman and a seamstress/executive director will be inducted into the Acadian and Francophone Business Hall of Fame of PEI on March 22 at the 2025 Entrepreneurs Gala.

Amy Richard, on behalf of the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI, was delighted to announce at the organization’s Christmas Party in Abram-Village Nov. 29 that Linda Lowther of Cavendish, Donnie Arsenault of Wellington, Leonard Gallant of Wellington/Summerside and the late Louise Comeau of Cap-Egmont will be honoured next spring. They will each receive a trophy and a framed certificate; a plaque with their photo and name will be permanently displayed on the Hall of Fame’s Wall of Honour in Wellington (in the meeting room of the Wellington Rural Action Centre).

To qualify for this lifetime achievement award, nominees had to have at least 25 years of entrepreneurial or business experience. Nominees could be working, retired or deceased.

“The selection committee studied the four nominations in depth. They were thoroughly impressed by the vast impact these individuals have had not only on the local and provincial economy, but also on their entire communities. They have all contributed a tremendous amount of time, energy, effort and HEART to numerous community causes,” said Richard before announcing their names.

“These people were already very busy with their businesses and families, but they still gave a great deal of their volunteer time to develop their communities. The selection committee therefore proposed that all four be inducted.”

The public will be invited to attend the Gala to help honor and congratulate the four businesspeople. Gala tickets go on sale in late January.

INDUCTEE BIOGRAPHIES

DONNIE ARSENAULT: Donnie and his wife Christine Arsenault of Wellington own and operate several successful businesses: Wellington Service Station Ltd., which includes a gas bar, a convenience store, a Bakin’ Donuts drive-thru coffee window and a car wash. Their Wellington Hardware store is located next door. Donnie also sold used cars for many years. He and Christine also ran Coolers Dairy Bar for nearly 20 years. They continue to rent the building as office space. A mechanic by training and career, Donnie became manager of his first garage (an Irving station) in 1982; he bought the business in 1991. He eventually moved his business to another Wellington garage (formerly Texaco and then Esso), where he modernized and diversified his operations.

LATE LOUISE COMEAU: Born in Meteghan, Nova Scotia, Louise Comeau settled on the Island 42 years ago. She established several successful businesses beginning in 1982, including Marché Cormier and Le P’tit Coton, based in her home in Abram-Village, and Les Créations Louise Comeau – l’Économusée de la courtepointe, in a Promenade acadienne boutique in Day’s Corner. She was an entrepreneur for 17 years. Then, during her 13 years as executive director of the Baie Acadienne Development Corporation, Louise was one of the key people behind the establishment of RDÉE Canada’s national economic development network, and of course RDÉE Prince Edward Island. She oversaw the implementation of a vast number of economic development initiatives. Louise passed away in May 2024 at the age of 78 years.

LEONARD GALLANT: Leonard Gallant began his career in the grocery warehouse at Rogers & Arnett Wholesale in Summerside in 1967. He provided some support to the sales team during their summer vacations and was eventually promoted to full-time salesperson after a few years. He stayed until the company closed in 1989, working there for 22 years. From 1975 to 1981, Leonard owned Len’s Grocery, a convenience store located in his home in Wellington. He was also manager and then secretary/treasurer of the Wellington Firemen’s Club for many years. Leonard then made the transition to full-time vehicle sales. He was a salesman at the GM-Chevrolet dealership in Summerside (under various names and owners) for 21 years! He and his wife Carol now reside in Summerside, where Leonard continues to deliver cars for Township Chevrolet Buick GMC Ltd.

LINDA LOWTHER: In addition to being a teacher and then a senior administrator with the Department of Education, Linda Lowther has had a 52-year career as an entrepreneur. She and her husband Gary owned a garage and gas station in Cavendish for 18 years, Sundance Cottages (with 22 cottages) for 32 years, the naturist/nudist resort The Oasis for 13 years and then the pamphlet distributor, Island Wide Distribution, for three years. In 2011, Linda launched her consulting firm The Lowther Group, specializing in tourism and educational projects. And, with her son, she has just launched an Eastern Canadian branch of Deker Hockey to sell field hockey equipment, clothing and medals (her other son has owned the Western Canadian branch for a few years).

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PHOTO: The Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI announced that it will induct the following people into its PEI Acadian and Francophone Business Hall of Fame in March 2025: from left, the late Louise Comeau, represented by her husband George Arsenault and her daughter Ghislaine Cormier, Leonard Gallant of Summerside (formerly of Wellington), Donnie Arsenault of Wellington and Linda Lowther of Cavendish (absent from photo). Velma LeBlanc, Chamber board member and president of RDÉE PEI, participated in the announcement.

 

For further information, please contact:
Alecia Arsenault
Coordinator
2025Entrepreneurs Gala
alecia@rdeeipe.org
902-432-2026