Richard Family

An example of generosity and dedication to church music for over a century.

Tilmon D. (father)
There is something very special about the organist and the choir soloist at the Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur Church (Notre-Dame, NB). For two generations, the Richard Family has been playing and singing at church celebrations, in Latin, French and English, for over one hundred years, much to the delight of parishioners.

In began in 1919 when Tilmon D. (father) accepted to be the church an organist at the young age of 18. It was quite a commitment. He had to be present for Sunday Masses, vespers, funerals, Holy Hours, etc. After more than half a century at the organ and choir, he retired in 1968.

It is also important to note that Tilmon D. was also known for his beautiful voice. At a young age, his uncle Wilfred Cormier, who sang at Notre-Dame Church, taught him Gregorian chant. He learned to play on a small organ that he had purchased. The organist of the day, Léandre Cormier, resigned to pursue his college studies.   The parish priest, Father Allain, asked Tilmon D. to take over and he accepted. And beyond that, he proved to be a remarkable organist and singer.

At first, his brother, Johnny Richard, sang with him. During his many years, he accompanied his daughter-in-law Rita, a talented singer who was a soloist in the choir. And today, his son, Tilmon J. accompanies soloist Odette, Tilmon D.’s granddaughter and Rita’s daughter as well as the choir.

Tilmon D. built a custom model of the old church.   This building was bequeathed to the parish. Mr. Richard was also Vice-President of the Caisse populaire de Notre-Dame (1961-1962) and Director (1961-1964).

Tilmon J. (son)
Tilmon J. answered the call to become the organist of the Church of Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur, succeeding his retiring father. Gifted in music and with a beautiful voice, he continued the tradition of embellishing religious ceremonies for more than fifty years. He has been travelling from Moncton to Notre-Dame for decades, at his own expense and as a volunteer. This is a truly extraordinary commitment.

From a young age, Tilmon J. listened to his father practice religious hymns and songs for mass, and it was his father who taught him to play the church organ. His interest continued and as a young man, he attended an organ concert at Saint Joseph’s Oratory. He also took university courses in music.

Tilmon J. had a notable career apart from his musical work. In particular, he was manager of the Caisse populaire de Notre-Dame from 1973 to 1985, during the period of full expansion of this financial institution.

During his time at the Caisse populaire, Tilmon J. was always committed to its growth. Indeed, under his direction, a new modern building was built in 1975, the assets increased from $574,000 to $3,364,000 and the number of members doubled. He was vice-president of the Kent branch of credit unions for two years.

At the community level, Tilmon J.’s energetic dedication has been at the service of several organizations. He was a member of the parish committee, president of the home-school during the efforts to renovate the central school, member of the building committee during the erection of the Résidence Notre-Dame, apartments for the elderly and founding director of the Cultural Society of South Kent where Mr. Richard held the positions of vice-president and treasurer.

In tradition with his father, Tilmon J. shares the passion and love of the organ and church singing. He adheres to traditional and virtuous values, the essential qualities that fuel the commitment and dedication shown for more than a hundred years.

Louis (son)
Louis Richard was born in Guéguen, on the north side of the Cocagne River. Succeeding his father Tilmon D., he was elected director to the board of directors at the Caisse Populaire Notre-Dame in 1964. He was chosen vice-president in 1967-68 and from 1969 to 1973. He was president of the Caisse populaire de Notre-Dame from 1973 to 1980 and from 1983 to 1987.

Louis Richard has always been interested in the development of the Caisse populaire. In fact, it was under his presidency that a modern building was built in 1975 to house the caisse’s offices.

Louis was also a member of the Board of Directors of the School Board for a few years. In church, he served as a mass server until he got married. Afterwards, he would do the collection. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He was married to Rita (Arsenault) and the father of five children.

Rita (daughter-in-law of Tilmon D. and wife of Louis)
Before getting married (June 28, 1951), Rita sang at the church of St-Antoine l’Ermite with her father Emilien Arsenault. When she married Louis Richard, her father-in-law, Tilmon D. Richard, invited her to sing with him. Having a very beautiful voice, she became a soloist and sang in the choir for about sixty years.

Rita also sang at amateur shows and social gatherings, accompanied on guitar by her husband Louis. She was known for her country singing and yodeling. In fact, she sang on a record with her daughter, Odette.

Rita was the mother of five children: Odette, Noëlla, Gisèle, Gilles and Jean-Paul and all have musical talents.

Odette (daughter of Louis and Rita)
Odette was the teacher of the first kindergarten class at École Notre-Dame. She has always been involved in her community. She has served as president of the Foyer-École, president of the Kindergarten Committee and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Caisse populaire de Notre-Dame. She was also a member of the Notre-Dame Athletic Club and was part of the executive of this organization during the construction of a new community centre. Odette also organized pageants and fashion shows. She was also president of the organizing committee for the 1988 and 1991 National Softball Championships. She also served as Vice-Chair of the New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women. In addition, Odette is the president of the Loto 104 Committee for the Pastoral Unit.

Odette has been singing since a very young age. She sang in the church choir with her mother, Rita, and participated in music festivals and events. At the age of eight, she sang « C’est monsieur le curé qui n’avais pas de chapeau » in the Radio-Canada program, « La Soirée Acadienne ». Then, Odette took part in amateur nights of the area, singing in coffee house events and accompanied on guitar by her sister, Noëlla. Odette continued to be a member of the church choir and has been its director since 2007. In addition to regular masses, she sang at many weddings and funerals, a service she still offers today. She has recorded two albums.