Bernardin’s obituary said he was heartbroken a the death of his son while Marcel’s obituary recounted how he looked to his father as a mentor and teacher, following in his footsteps for over 50 years.
Bernardin, who started his working life as fisherman on a boat that would hold a dozen traps, was inducted into the Junior Achievement Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame in 2008, for his contribution to the economy and dedication to the cultural prosperity of Nova Scotia’s French Shore region.
He and his brother Clarence founded Comeau Seafoods in 1946 and grew it into one of the largest seafood businesses in the province.
In 1987 he was named to the Order of Canada.
Marcel started working at the company for his father when he was nine, packing small wooden boxes of herring for the Caribbean market. He got a penny box and tried to do fifty a day.
In 1981, Marcel took over as president.
Today Comeau Seafoods employs close to 500 people on its ships, at its processing plants, dry-dock facility, laboratory and supply store.
In 2011, when Comeau Seafoods received a lifetime achievement award from the Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development, Marcel talked about his family’s commitment to the community of Clare.
“My father and uncle started this company to maintain local employment year round,” said Comeau. “We’re right here in the middle of l’Acadie and we are proud to be Acadian. That’s why our boats have the Acadian flag on it.
“We’ve always been involved in the community whether supporting the hospital, the church, the university or the Acadian Festival.”
Comeau also talked about the importance of knowing the people who work for them by their first names.
“If we don’t know everyone who works here I’m sure I know their father, their mother or their cousin,” said Comeau. “There’s a warmth to working here, a real sense of working in a team — it’s incredibly rewarding to experience that every day.”
Laurent d’Entremont wrote more about Bernardin in this 2013 review of his autobiography.
Bernardin’s obituary said he was heartbroken a the death of his son while Marcel’s obituary recounted how he looked to his father as a mentor and teacher, following in his footsteps for over 50 years.
Bernardin, who started his working life as fisherman on a boat that would hold a dozen traps, was inducted into the Junior Achievement Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame in 2008, for his contribution to the economy and dedication to the cultural prosperity of Nova Scotia’s French Shore region.
He and his brother Clarence founded Comeau Seafoods in 1946 and grew it into one of the largest seafood businesses in the province.
In 1987 he was named to the Order of Canada.
Marcel started working at the company for his father when he was nine, packing small wooden boxes of herring for the Caribbean market. He got a penny box and tried to do fifty a day.
In 1981, Marcel took over as president.
Today Comeau Seafoods employs close to 500 people on its ships, at its processing plants, dry-dock facility, laboratory and supply store.
In 2011, when Comeau Seafoods received a lifetime achievement award from the Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development, Marcel talked about his family’s commitment to the community of Clare.
“My father and uncle started this company to maintain local employment year round,” said Comeau. “We’re right here in the middle of l’Acadie and we are proud to be Acadian. That’s why our boats have the Acadian flag on it.
“We’ve always been involved in the community whether supporting the hospital, the church, the university or the Acadian Festival.”
Comeau also talked about the importance of knowing the people who work for them by their first names.
“If we don’t know everyone who works here I’m sure I know their father, their mother or their cousin,” said Comeau. “There’s a warmth to working here, a real sense of working in a team — it’s incredibly rewarding to experience that every day.”
Laurent d’Entremont wrote more about Bernardin in this 2013 review of his autobiography.
