Celebration of life to honour founder of French immersion program at Université Sainte-Anne
Natalie Robichaud fondly recalls the impactful legacy of Jean-Douglas Comeau, the visionary behind the renowned French immersion program at Université Sainte-Anne in Church Point, N.S. Comeau’s dedication to helping students succeed extended beyond the classroom, as he actively engaged the entire community in supporting his mission.
Robichaud shared anecdotes of Comeau’s proactive approach, where he would collaborate with local businesses to encourage French language immersion by requesting that services be provided exclusively in French to his students. This grassroots involvement exemplified his commitment to fostering a thriving French-speaking environment.
Tragically, Comeau passed away on April 27 at the age of 79, leaving behind a lasting impact on the educational landscape of Clare. A celebration of his life is scheduled to take place at Le Richelieu, a venue he once owned, in Clare on Saturday.
Robichaud’s connection with Comeau dates back to the early 2000s when she joined a band where his son played bass guitar. Their shared passion for music led to a professional collaboration when Comeau hired Robichaud as a teacher in the immersion program at Université Sainte-Anne.
The success of Comeau’s program can be attributed to its innovative approach, which prioritized active engagement over passive learning. Rather than traditional classroom lectures, students participated in workshops, theme parties, and interactive games to immerse themselves in the French language.
Born and raised in Bear Cove, Comeau’s academic journey led him to Collège Ste-Anne and eventually to Paris and Vermont for further studies. Upon his return to Nova Scotia, he was tasked with establishing a French immersion school, overseeing the installation of a language laboratory, and creating a theater company, Les Araignées du Boui-Boui, by his cousin, the rector of Université Sainte-Anne.
Even after his retirement in 2017, Comeau remained an active presence on campus, holding the honorary dean title. His passion for sports, particularly softball and baseball, was evident in his involvement in university tournaments and his past experience playing for the French national baseball team during his time in France.
In recognition of his contributions to education and culture, France bestowed upon Comeau the rank of knight in the Ordre des Palmes académiques in 2018. Beyond his educational endeavors, Comeau also made significant contributions to the arts and culture scene in Clare, where he participated in Mermaid Theatre productions and acted in numerous television shows for the Nova Scotia Department of Education.
The location chosen for the celebration of Comeau’s life holds special significance, as it was a former social club that he transformed into a community space for hosting events. This legacy of community engagement and cultural enrichment exemplifies the profound impact that Jean-Douglas Comeau had on the lives of those around him.
