THÉRIAULT, NORBERT
1921 – 2016
Baie Ste–Anne N.–B - It is with great sadness that the family of Norbert Thériault announces the passing of their beloved father. Surrounded by his family, Norbert passed away peacefully at the age of 95 at the Ti Bon Soin retirement home in Shediac June 19, 2016. Norbert was born in Baie–Sainte–Anne, February 16, 1921. He was the son of late Edmour Thériault and Céline Turbide and the husband of the late Joséphine Martin.

He is survived by his 10 children: Raoul (Rayleen Graham), Ginette (Jean–Claude LeClerc), Monette (Alphonse Turbide), Aurèle (Lynne Toupin), Berthe (France Daigle), Gilles (Louiselle Cimon), Jean–Marie (Valmond Bourque), Camille (Lynne Boudreau), Nicole (Réjean McIntyre), Mario (Micheline Doiron); his daughter in law Hannelore Mazerolle; 29 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, six great–great-grandchildren and one great–great–great-grandchild; his brother Paul (Jeannita Leblanc); his sister Claudia (Robert Walen) and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife Josephine, Norbert was predeceased by his son, Gerry Mazerolle; his brothers, Edgar, Aurèle, Lionel, Laurent, Donat (Gracia Thériault); his sisters, Lédora, Létita, Germaine (Guy Richard) and Isabelle.

Throughout his life, our father was dedicated to public service and concerned with social justice. He was committed to the well–being of all individuals, starting with those from his village of Baie–Sainte–Anne. He demonstrated his dedication to others mostly through his political career.

From 1954 to 1960, he was a member of the Municipal Council for the County of Northumberland and served as warden; he also served as a school trustee from 1948 to 1960.

From 1960 to 1979, he represented the County of Northumberlandand Baie–du–Vin at the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick as a member of the Liberal Party. He was the Minister of Municipal Affairs from1963 to 1967 and the Minister of Health from 1967 to 1970. He played a central role in the Equal Opportunity program of the Louis J. Robichaud era. He reformed municipal affairs with a centralized taxing regime and transformed the health system with changes such as Medicare and equitable access to health and hospital care throughout the province. In 1977, he became interim leader for the Liberal Party, and in March 1979, he was appointed to the Senate by Pierre Elliott Trudeau. He retired in 1996, at the age of 75.

The funeral mass will be held at the Sainte–Anne Roman Catholic Church in Baie–Sainte–Anne on Friday, June 24 at 4 pm. Norbert will be resting at the Salon Blondine–Martin in Baie–Sainte–Anne on Thursday, June 23 from 2 pm to 4 pm and from 7 pm to 9 pm and on Friday from 2 pm till the service.

In his memory, donations can be made to the parish of Baie–Sainte–Anne.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Maher's Funeral Home in Miramichi. Telephone 773–4709 or www.mahersfh.com