History |
Dr. Henri Breault was born in Tecumseh on March 4, 1909, the middle son of Joseph and Maria Breault. Dr. Henri Breault resided on Tecumseh Road between St. Anne Street and Poisson Street. He attended elementary school in Tecumseh and then went on to the University of Ottawa High School and College and received his B.A. in 1931. Henri continued his education at the University of Western Ontario Medical School in London and received his M.D. in 1936. He did his internship at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Windsor and his residency in Pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. He eventually opened his practice in Windsor in July 1939. Dr. Breault married Monica, and had two daughters, Elise and Rosemary. He retired in 1980 and died September 5, 1983. He was buried in Tecumseh at St. Anne's Cemetery and was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame on May 29, 1997. The story of the development of the Palm N' Turn Safety Cap begins in 1957 with the establishment of the Windsor Poison Control Centre to help solve the problem of childhood poisoning, which was very common at the time. Two to three children per day were brought to the centre to have their stomachs pumped because they had ingested different kinds of medications, remedies, vitamins, and household solvents that were in containers easy to uncap. He felt a simple solution of prevention had to be found to this common problem. With his agile mind, organizational abilities, dedication and determination, he was able to invent a cap and have it manufactured. Through many hours of lecturing and demonstrations to his colleagues, the pharmaceutical industry, and anyone else who wanted to listen, Dr. Breault was able to get the cap approved by all levels of government. By January 1972, Ontario made the safety cap mandatory on all containers of medications and household solvents. In 1974, the other provinces followed and the Federal Hazardous Products Act was passed, which mandated safety caps packaging for household products. In 1980, the United States also adopted the safety cap legislation. Since then, child poisoning has been reduced by approximately 92%. Of the remaining 8%, 4 to 5% of poisonings are due to parents not putting the cap on the container. It took Dr. Henri Breault 17 to 18 years to get his project completed which shows true dedication and perseverance. |
Background criteria |
The Town of Tecumseh's Dr. Henri Breault Committee was established in the year 2000 with a mandate to "actively pursue candidates who have displayed continued dedication and perseverance to a cause or causes that have ultimately benefited the citizens of the Town of Tecumseh and the general public at large and presents awards to individuals for their dedication and perseverance”. |
Guidelines for selection by Committee |
The following are the guidelines for receipt of the Dr. Henri Breault Award:
|
Past recipients |
2022 - None Awarded 2021 - Anita Imperioli 2020 - None Awarded 2019 - None Awarded 2018 - Larry Desanti 2017 - Michael J. Rovers 2016 - Tecumseh Goodfellows Team #35 2014 - Brian Sherwell 2013 - John McGivney 2012 - Bernarda Camello-Doctor 2010 - Robert (Bob) Waronchak 2009 - Louis Gouin 2008 - Michael Solcz 2007 - Dr. Albert Schumacher 2006 - Tony J. Azar 2005 - Anthony P. Toldo 2004 - Bill Onslow, Anne "Cookie" Rigo, and Michael and Kathleen Rocheleau 2000 - George Rocheleau, Don Lappan, and John Poole 1998 - John Staley |
Community Awards
Applications are being accepted for the following awards for 2025:
- Dr. Henri Breault Community Excellence Award
- Donald “Donny” Massender Memorial Volunteer Award
- Senior of the Year Award
- Youth of the Year Award
The deadline for applications is Friday, April 25, 2025 and award recipients will be delegations at the June 24, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.
Below is a description and brief history of each award along with the eligibility criteria and past recipients.
To submit the online application form, fill out all the required fields and hit "Submit". Your application will automatically be submitted to the Town of Tecumseh. If you wish to save the application and come back at a later date to complete it, simply hit the "Save" button at the bottom of the sheet. If you have difficulty completing the form, please call 519-735-2184, ext. 117.
Dr. Henri Breault Community Excellence Award
Donald Donny Massender Memorial Volunteer Award
History |
Donny was an employee of the Town of Tecumseh with the Public Works/Water Department for 28 years and a 33 year member of the Tecumseh Fire and Rescue Services Department. He was also a diligent volunteer, having been a past president with the Tecumseh Goodfellows and a member of the Fr. Nicholas Point Council 4375 Tecumseh Knights of Columbus. Donny had a zest for life and brought happiness to those around him. We celebrate the memory of Donny, whose grand voice boomed only in fun and friendship, whose grin made everyone crack a smile, whose positive energy elevated the spirits of all around him. |
Background and criteria |
The Town of Tecumseh established the Donald “Donny” Massender Memorial Volunteer Award in 2010 to annually recognize a person who has made exceptional contributions to the citizens of the Town, or the public at large and is well-known for his/her work as an outstanding fundraiser, advocate and supporter of charitable organization(s). Recipients of the Donald “Donny” Massender Memorial Volunteer Award are recognized for the highest level of volunteerism and public service and demonstrate an unselfish desire to help others and have a compassion to assist those in need. The recipient of the Donny Massender Award will also be nominated for the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism in Ontario and the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship. |
Guidelines for selection by Committee |
The following are the guidelines for receipt of the Donny Massender Award:
|
Past recipients |
2022 - Heather Holding 2021 - Edward Janisse 2020 - None Awarded 2019 - None Awarded 2018 - Richard Zarour 2017 - Frank Perissinotti 2016 - Rose Rennie 2015 - Joe Chauvin 2014 - John Poole and Robert Labute 2013 - Jan Wright 2012 - Kate Shaw and Andre Letarte 2011 - Ricardo (Rico) Tonial 2010 - Natalie Lapointe |
Background and criteria | |
|
|
Eligibility | |
The following are the guidelines for receipt of the Senior of the Year Award:
|
|
Past Recipients | |
2023 - Shirley Drouillard 2022 - Lynda Lacombe 2021 - None Awarded 2020 - None Awarded 2019 - Rita Ossington 2018 - Judy Wellwood-Robson 2017 - Kenneth Coulson 2016 - Paul Morand 2015 - Susie Korchnak 2014 - Doreen Ouellette 2013 - André Roy 2012 - Richard Nosella 2011 - None Awarded 2010 - Louis Gouin 2009 - Madeline Bonham |
Background and criteria |
The Youth of the Year Award was established in 2020. Recipients of the Youth of the Year Award are recognized for displaying continued dedication and leadership and are the best of Tecumseh’s caring and diverse community who stand as a shining example for everyone. The nominee will have enriched the social, cultural or civic life of the community that has ultimately benefited the citizens of the Town and the general public at large without thought of personal or financial gain. |
Eligibility |
The following are the guidelines for receipt of the Youth of the Year Award:
|
Past Recipients |
2023 - Grace Allison 2022 - Jocelyn Adams 2021 - Teanna Kavanagh |
Contact Us
Town of Tecumseh
917 Lesperance Road
Tecumseh, ON N8N 1W9
Phone: 519 735 2184
Fax: 519 735 6712
Contact Us
Report An Issue
Sign up to receive News & Notices
Stay up to date on the Town's activities, events, programs and operations by subscribing to our News & Notices email.