Role Model / Principal
First of all, my condolences for your loss.
Mr. Joanette was a great man and a very important person that made a huge impact in my life. As a young boy, I lived in Maxville and Mr. Joanette was my principal at St. Bernards Catholic School. I first started in grade 1 and left in grade 7. I was a young boy that didnt know any French and who was very hyper and not very good at listening. After constantly being in trouble and consistently being sent to the principals office, Mr. Joanette saw that I was in need of some discipline and some direction. He had my mother come to the school and meet her to discuss my behaviour. As my mom told me later in life, it was expected that he would tell her how bad I was and to have her discipline me as well. Instead, he told her That boy needs to be put in hockey.
We were a family of 4 with me being the oldest of 3 kids and my mom being a single mother. We simply didnt have the money to buy equipment and pay tuition. Not accepting that for an answer and understanding our situation, he came in to school the next day with a bag full of hockey equipment for me. He gave me the equipment and helped get me signed up for hockey. It completely changed my behaviour and attitude at school and made me a focused and determined young boy. Ill never forget the day when I saw him several years later when I was playing for the Jr. B Alexandria Glens. I shook his hand as we were going on the ice for warmup and he was coming off the ice with the little kids. I was happy to be able to thank him for steering me in the right direction.
I attended college and university and am now employed as a police officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. I am truly greatfull to have had him as a principal and mentor. Without him taking the time to help me change my ways, who knows where I would be today.
Again, my condolences to your family and friends and I hope you are working through your loss.
Sorry, I missed the funeral, I only saw the newspaper after it had taken place.
Andrew Michaud
250-270-0138
Posted by Andrew Michaud
Wednesday December 11, 2019 at 7:35 pm