Firmin Monestime

Saint Firmin Monestime ( born December 16, 1909 in Port-au -Prince, Haiti, † 27 October in Mattawa, Canada 1977) was a practicing physician in Mattawa from 1962 to 1964 and from 1971 to 1973 mayor of the city. He was thus the first elected mayor black skin color in Canada.

Childhood and education

Monestime was born on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, the only son of a wealthy tanner, and grew up in times of constant political turmoil and economic change. After graduating in 1936 at the Medical Faculty of the University of Haiti Monestime began practicing near the border with the Dominican Republic. From 1936 to 1942 was mainly his work as a government doctor is to care for the rural population of the region medically. From 1942 to 1944 he worked as chief physician at a rural hospital and the Ministry of Health in the Haitian capital Port -au -Prince. He published at this time four writings on medical care for the rural population.

Monestime was awarded the Honour and Merit for the care of injured people during a border dispute with the Dominican Republic.

In 1944, Monestime but enough of the political unrest, gave up his position in the public service and left shortly thereafter the country. Since he was francophone, he originally wanted to move to France. Since there still raged, the Second World War, he applied for permission to study in Canada. Fearing reprisals, he left his home without it to announce and traveled to Quebec City.

Arriving in Canada

In 1945 Monestime with empty hands to Canada. As a foreign doctor, he first had to repeat his medical training and worked for seven years as a junior doctor in various hospitals in Quebec, Montreal, Sherbrooke and Ottawa. 1947, Monestime to a four-year employment in the Ottawa General Hospital.

His arrival in Mattawa has become a local legend. During his visit to Monestime spontaneously decided to stop in Mattawa, to strengthen themselves in a restaurant. There he served one of his former patients, who told him that the Mattawa necessarily even need a doctor. Monestime liked the city right away, and he settled in 1951 in a private practice down, which was the Mattawa General Hospital belonging.

He distinguished himself as a good doctor with an open ear and treated his patients at any time and at any place. Frequently therefore the medical care of injured loggers in remote areas was connected. Many patients could only pay him in kind, and he often returned with livestock back home.

Political action

After Monestime 1955 the Prime Minister of Ontario, Leslie Frost met, he developed an interest in Canadian politics. After his youth under the unstable government of Haiti, he recognized the privilege of choice and the ability to be able to use it in an all levels of politics personally. He received in 1957 a Canadian citizen and grew within two years as President of the Mattawa Progressive Conservative Party.

Mayor of Mattawa

Since the now very popular doctor saw great potential in the city and this would help to shape, he stood on for election to the City Council in 1962 and elected for the next two years as mayor. Monestime was a great believer in continuous improvement, successfully releasing a number of municipal and construction measures. When asked about his political success, Monestime replied: "I would just like to improve, improve, improve. "

In addition to his political interests at the local level, he has also been active at the national level. He was a national leader of the Progressive Conservatives, but failed in 1970 at the election of the President of the Progressive Conservative Party.

After a short absence in local politics is Monestime presented in 1971 for re-election as mayor and was re-elected. One of his most visible contributions to the city is still standing today. After twelve years of fighting for a retirement home in Mattawa, 1976, the Algonquin Nursing Home was opened. Previously dependent people were forced to pull far away.

Family

Mid 40s learned Monestime the Russian immigrant Zenaida Pechersk know that helped him to learn English and he finally fell. On February 8, 1952 married Monestime Zenaida, with whom he had four children: Valentina, Fedia, Yura and Sasha. Urge Monestimes also attracted Zenaidas mother to the family after Mattawa.

On February 29, 1976 Monestime was called to an emergency hospital. His son and three other innocent bystanders were shot by a drunk hunter. Fedia died in the arms of his father. Monestime never recovered from this loss. He died on 27 October 1977.

• Mayor (Canada)
• Canadian
• Born in 1909
• Died in 1977
• Man