The farmer’s life was clearly not for Aristide Lassonde. In 1910, he sold his land on Rang Double and moved to the outskirts of the village, where he bought a large lot. A new project was taking shape in his mind. With the help of Georgianna, he set about bringing it to fruition, surmounting the grief that had afflicted the couple since the death of their two daughters in 1907 from diphtheria. Only their son Willie escaped.

Employed as a simple labourer at a local farm, Aristide began by building houses on his land. He did not go into the construction business, but he did create jobs. And the housing he created was available when the factory that he went on to build in 1916 opened its doors. That was the project he set his sights on: a cannery. In the meantime, he bought the surplus tomatoes and berries from local farmers and convinced some to diversify their crops, while Georgianna busied herself in her kitchen making preserves.

Two years later, the A. Lassonde factory was inaugurated. To keep some of his employees at work year round, Aristide had more houses built. His son Willie followed in his father’s footsteps until the 1960s. The houses erected on Rue Lassonde (present-day 5^e Avenue) and Rang de la Grande Caroline didn’t fetch much money. Aristide and Willie sold them virtually at cost with enviable mortgage conditions by today’s standards. But in this way they were able to retain their employees and ultimately contribute to the development of the village.

Next column: A game of who’s who at the registry office…