Paul Poisson
Encyclopedia
Colonel Paul Poisson M.C., V.D., KSG., C.A.M.C. (25 July 1887 – October 1982), was the first mayor of the town of Tecumseh, Ontario
, Canada in 1921. He also served in the Ontario Legislature
in 1926, 1929, and 1931 – 1934 where he was appointed Minister without Portfolio
. A veteran of both World War I
and World War II
, he was awarded the Military Cross
for his contribution in the Coucelette Campaign in 1915. He also served as President Medical Board M.D. No. 1 at Medical Headquarters Ottawa, as Officer Commanding Montreal Military Hospital. Prior to politics and military service, Poisson ran a medical practice in Sandwich East, currently the Town of Tecumseh.
in 1900. He joined Canada’s military unit in Windsor, at the age of 17. After graduating from Paterson, he attended Western University
, at London, Ontario
where "he graduated as M.D.
with Honours" 9 June, 1909, and began his medical practice on 16 October, 1910. At the age of 23, Poisson married Gertrude Connor, daughter of Michael Connor of Kitchener, Ontario, on 11 January, 1911.
banner in the Essex North riding. In this 1914 election, the 26-year-old Poisson lost by 640 votes to Liberal candidate Severin Ducharme
. Following this provincial election loss, the First World War suspended his political aspirations until 1919 when he unsuccessfully ran for a second time in the riding of Essex North. Alphonse George Tisdelle of the United Farmers of Ontario defeated Poisson by 3,848 votes on 13 October, 1919. The aspiration to sit in Queen's Park took a back seat when he was appointed as Tecumseh's first mayor in 1921, and he remained in this position until 1925.
He returned provincial politics in 1926 by winning the Essex North riding, without opposition, and served as minister without portfolio in the cabinet of Conservative Premier George S. Henry
from 1931 to 1934.
at Buckingham Palace in 1916. Poisson was awarded the Military Cross for his contribution of the 1915 Courcelette Campaign where he was wounded. Two other soldiers alongside Poisson, died from injuries resulting from the same explosion.
Despite being away from the battlefield in the Second World War, Poisson’s contribution was still vital. From 1940-1945, he served "as President Medical Board M.D. No. 1, at Medical Headquarters Ottawa, as Officer Commanding Montreal Military Hospital." After 41 years of military service, he resigned from every rank from private to colonel in 1945.
– to which retired from in 1959 – Poisson dedicated his post political and military years to “leadership in various religious, educational and bilingual groups.” "He received one of the highest honours that can be bestowed upon a layman by the Catholic Church" when Bishop Cody endowed Poisson “with the Order of St. Gregory (K.S.G.).” His contribution to his faith also included the founding of the Canadian Catholic Club, and serving as a member of the Roman Catholic
society of Knights of Columbus
. Other club memberships include the Beach Grove Country Club and Richelieu, to which he was once President.
Paul Poisson and Gertrude Connor (Poisson) raised eight children, and enjoyed the company of 36 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Poisson’s wife of 60 years, Gertrude Connor, died March 1971.
Poisson died in October 1982.
Tecumseh, Ontario
Tecumseh is a town on Lake St. Clair east of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It has a population of just over 24,000.Tecumseh enjoys long summers and mild winters...
, Canada in 1921. He also served in the Ontario Legislature
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
in 1926, 1929, and 1931 – 1934 where he was appointed Minister without Portfolio
Minister without Portfolio
A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry...
. A veteran of both World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
for his contribution in the Coucelette Campaign in 1915. He also served as President Medical Board M.D. No. 1 at Medical Headquarters Ottawa, as Officer Commanding Montreal Military Hospital. Prior to politics and military service, Poisson ran a medical practice in Sandwich East, currently the Town of Tecumseh.
Early life and career
Born to Damas and Helen (Diestbourg) Poisson in Belle River, Ontario, Poisson attended elementary school prior to pursuing high school studies at Paterson in WindsorWindsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
in 1900. He joined Canada’s military unit in Windsor, at the age of 17. After graduating from Paterson, he attended Western University
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
, at London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
where "he graduated as M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
with Honours" 9 June, 1909, and began his medical practice on 16 October, 1910. At the age of 23, Poisson married Gertrude Connor, daughter of Michael Connor of Kitchener, Ontario, on 11 January, 1911.
Political career
After only two years of medical practice, Poisson pursued an occupation in municipal politics where he served a two year term as a councillor (1912-1913) in the township of Sandwich East. After a two year stint in municipal politics, Poisson pursued representation in the Ontario Legislature in 1914 by running under the ConservativeProgressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
banner in the Essex North riding. In this 1914 election, the 26-year-old Poisson lost by 640 votes to Liberal candidate Severin Ducharme
Severin Ducharme
Severin Ducharme was an Ontario real estate and insurance agent and political figure. He represented Essex North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Liberal member from 1914 to 1919....
. Following this provincial election loss, the First World War suspended his political aspirations until 1919 when he unsuccessfully ran for a second time in the riding of Essex North. Alphonse George Tisdelle of the United Farmers of Ontario defeated Poisson by 3,848 votes on 13 October, 1919. The aspiration to sit in Queen's Park took a back seat when he was appointed as Tecumseh's first mayor in 1921, and he remained in this position until 1925.
He returned provincial politics in 1926 by winning the Essex North riding, without opposition, and served as minister without portfolio in the cabinet of Conservative Premier George S. Henry
George Stewart Henry
George Stewart Henry was a farmer, businessman and politician in Ontario, Canada.Born in Township of King, York County, Ontario, the son of William and Louisa Henry, Henry was educated at the public schools of Toronto, Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto where he received a B.A. and...
from 1931 to 1934.
Military career
After joining Canada’s military unit in Windsor at the age of 17, Poisson’s military career took off as a result of both the First and Second World War. After serving four years, eight months in World War I, Poisson arrived home with the promotion from Captain to Major and decorations from King George VGeorge V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
at Buckingham Palace in 1916. Poisson was awarded the Military Cross for his contribution of the 1915 Courcelette Campaign where he was wounded. Two other soldiers alongside Poisson, died from injuries resulting from the same explosion.
Despite being away from the battlefield in the Second World War, Poisson’s contribution was still vital. From 1940-1945, he served "as President Medical Board M.D. No. 1, at Medical Headquarters Ottawa, as Officer Commanding Montreal Military Hospital." After 41 years of military service, he resigned from every rank from private to colonel in 1945.
Final Years and Achievements
Despite the appointment as Registrar of Deeds for Essex CountyEssex County, Ontario
Essex County is a county and census division located in Southwestern Ontario and covers an area at the southernmost tip of Canada. The administrative seat is Essex...
– to which retired from in 1959 – Poisson dedicated his post political and military years to “leadership in various religious, educational and bilingual groups.” "He received one of the highest honours that can be bestowed upon a layman by the Catholic Church" when Bishop Cody endowed Poisson “with the Order of St. Gregory (K.S.G.).” His contribution to his faith also included the founding of the Canadian Catholic Club, and serving as a member of the Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
society of Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
. Other club memberships include the Beach Grove Country Club and Richelieu, to which he was once President.
Paul Poisson and Gertrude Connor (Poisson) raised eight children, and enjoyed the company of 36 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Poisson’s wife of 60 years, Gertrude Connor, died March 1971.
Poisson died in October 1982.