Albert Gigaire Explained

Albert Gigaire (1872-1959) was a police officer, a businessman and a local politician in Shawinigan, Quebec.^[1] He was the eighth Mayor of Shawinigan from 1930 to 1936.^[2]

He was born in 1872 in Saint-Barnabé, Mauricie.

Gigaire served as a council member from 1918 to 1920.

He ran for mayor in Shawinigan in 1930 and won. Gigaire was re-elected in 1932 and 1934.

Under his administration, which took place during the Great Depression, the following facilities were dedicated:

• The city Water Works Building (the structure still stands at 1843, boulevard des Hêtres);
• Parc Saint-Maurice (the downtown public playground had been completed ten years earlier);
• Sainte-Thérèse Hospital (located at 1705, avenue Georges).

Gigaire did not run in 1936.

He died in 1959.

Rue Gigaire (Gigaire Street) in the Christ-Roi neighbourhood was named to honour him.

Notes and References

1. http://www.histoireshawinigan.com/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=148 "Albert Gigaire (1872-1976), maire et entrepreneur", Société d'histoire et de généalogie de Shawinigan
2. Fabien LaRochelle, Shawinigan depuis 75 ans, 1976