Fonds paa-6680 - J. William Beaudry fonds

J. (Joseph) William Beaudry was born on March 27, 1885 in the town of Sainte-Melanie, County of Joliette, Quebec. He attended a local school until 1901 and then entered the Seminary of Joliette. He graduated from there in 1910 with a Bachelor of Science degree, then articled in law, and was admitted to the bar in 1913. Beaudry then traveled west, arriving in Alberta in August of 1913 to teach at the Edmonton Jesuit College. He moved to Saint-Paul, Alberta and taught at Alain School and at Bonnyville. By 1915 Beaudry was admitted to the Alberta Law Society and he opened a legal practice in Saint-Paul where he resided until his death. Beaudry was active in the Saint-Paul community and held a number of city positions including Secretary of Saint-Paul from 1924--1930, Secretary of the School District from 1916--1934, city councillor for 10 years, and mayor from 1930--1935. In 1935 he was elected as a Social Credit MLA and he served in this position until 1953. In 1941 Beaudry also served on the Robinson Committee that was set up to study workmen's compensation. Beaudry was married on October 15, 1921 to Eliza Wodon and together they had three children, Aline, Bernard, and Guy. Eliza Wodon died in 1943 and Beaudry re-married in 1950 to Aline Wodon of Joliette, Quebec. Beaudry was also a member of the Roman Catholic Church and in 1950 he received the Ben Merenti medal from Pope Pius XII in recognition of his devotion, exemplar state, and religious conduct. Beaudry died March 22, 1954.