Grandparents’ Day: Family Ties That Bind !
|Interview
For Grandparents’ Day on September 8th, we were honoured to meet an ORA resident who’s both a grandfather and a great-grandfather. As a matter of fact, mr. Paul-Émile Marcotte reached a major milestone this year – his 100th birthday!
Our centenarian friend graciously shared his life story with us, taking us on a journey through Quebec’s history. It’s clear that family values have been a constant source of inspiration and strength for him, bridging generations and nourishing his roots.
Mr. Marcotte, please tell us a bit about yourself, beginning with your youth.
Well, I was born on April 22, 1924, in Saint-Ubalde, Portneuf County. So, I turned 100 this year! I’m the third of 11 siblings. I moved to Montreal when I was 13. My uncle and my aunt, who didn’t have any kids of their own, kindly took me in so I could keep studying. And I’ve been here ever since. I’ve always called the Villeray and Ahuntsic neighbourhoods home.
Plus, lots of my family still live around here, which is why I chose ORA – it’s great to be so close to them.
Just how many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren do you have?
I married my wife Rita on July 7, 1947, and we lived together for almost 72 years. We had six children: 3 boys and 3 girls. Today, I have 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. And believe it or not, they were all there at my birthday!
That’s amazing! So how many people were there all together?
We were 105. I have 34 direct descendants, and if we add their spouses, that’s a whole lot of people! There were my brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and quite a few cousins. It was really amazing.
It seems you have a really tight-knit family.
Absolutely. My parents had a huge farmhouse in Saint-Ubalde, which was perfect for hosting everyone. And I had a cottage in Terrebonne, right on the Mille Îles River. We’d spend our summers there and always had a full house with family visiting.
Nowadays, I receive visitors all the time at ORA – some days it’s even a daily thing! And it’s not just my kids who drop by. I’m also fortunate to spend time with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren really often. I like to say that every day is Grandparents’ Day for me (laughs). I’m truly blessed.
Personally, staying connected with my loved ones keeps me energized and feeling young! Maybe that’s the secret to our family’s longevity; we Marcottes tend to live a long life. My father even lived to be 89 years old.
You seem to have strong family values passed down from generation to generation. Have you always been so close-knit?
Yes, as far back as I can remember. The bonds that unite us are strong; we love seeing each other and being together. Maybe it comes from my ancestors, the Marcotte brothers Jacques and Nicolas, who decided to leave Normandy in 1667 to settle in Neuville. Today, there are many Marcottes in Quebec and even in the United States.
To give you an idea, in 1967 I organized a big family reunion with my brother Maurice to celebrate the 300th anniversary of our first ancestors’ arrival. We partied for 3 days in Neuville with around 200 Marcottes! We even had a small monument erected to honour our history.
What a family story! Is there a value you’d like to see passed down in your family?
Yes, the importance of family unity. It can help you get through a lot of life’s challenges. You know, my mother was a midwife, and she’s the one who helped my wife give birth. Our first child attended the school next to my parents’ house and my sister was the teacher!
We’ve always supported each other. To me, that’s the heart of life, and I’d love for it to continue. So far, so good. Also, since we’re a family of entrepreneurs through and through, I’d love for my descendants to be willing to keep taking risks and to persevere.
Are the Marcottes among the builders of Quebec?
I believe so. My grandfather was the first man to clear and cultivate land in Saint-Ubalde, in the Saint-Anne area. Instead of buying a residential lot like everyone else, he thought big and purchased a wooded area and converted it into farmland. Then, I think there was a ripple effect.
My parents were named ‘Farm Family of the Year’ in 1966 by the Agricultural Family Foundation. As for my brother, he was the largest potato producer in Quebec before selling his business to Patates Dolbec.
For my part, I was a machinist for a while before starting my own company in the printing industry. Two of my sons took over the business. This family entrepreneurial spirit is something I’m very proud of.
What is your fondest family memory?
I would say the vacations we spent together. I still see my children and grandchildren at the cottage, swimming in the river, riding on the tractors or just enjoying the good times. Family gatherings have been at the heart of my life. I can tell you that these memories will stay with me forever.
Mr. Marcotte, your life story is truly captivating. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt heritage with us. We wish you many more moments to cherish with your family and keep strengthening those special ties that bring you all together.
Warm wishes to all residents of Le Groupe Maurice. And have a Happy Grandparents’ Day!
