Gary Robichaud
Encyclopedia
Gary Robichaud was a Canadian
teacher and politician, and leader of the Island New Democrats political party in the province of Prince Edward Island
.
Robichaud was born in Saint John
, New Brunswick
. He spent his childhood on Prince Edward Island, attending Evangeline Regional High School and then the University of Prince Edward Island
.
Robichaud began teaching in rural Manitoba
, where he met his wife, Jacqueline. In 1995, he moved back to Prince Edward Island to become a high-school teacher in Summerside
. For many years, he taught at Three Oaks Senior High School, during which time he helmed Canada's only intramural Reach for the Top
league.
Joining the Island New Democrats, Robichaud ran unsuccessfully in the 2000 provincial election. In 2002, he ran for the leadership of the party, and won with 62 votes over Ken Bingham
with 18 and Deborah Kelly-Hawkes with 4.
He was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer
in late 2003. On June 23, 2005, he announced his resignation as New Democratic leader due to his poor health. He died on September 8, 2005, in Summerside. He is survived by his wife, Jaquie, and his daughter, Julia.
He was replaced as New Democratic Party leader in 2006 by Dean Constable
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
teacher and politician, and leader of the Island New Democrats political party in the province of Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
.
Robichaud was born in Saint John
Saint John, New Brunswick
City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...
, New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
. He spent his childhood on Prince Edward Island, attending Evangeline Regional High School and then the University of Prince Edward Island
University of Prince Edward Island
The University of Prince Edward Island is a public liberal arts university in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and the sole university in the province. Founded in 1969, it traces its roots back to its two earlier predecessor organizations, St. Dunstan's University and Prince of Wales...
.
Robichaud began teaching in rural Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, where he met his wife, Jacqueline. In 1995, he moved back to Prince Edward Island to become a high-school teacher in Summerside
Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Summerside is a Canadian city in Prince County, Prince Edward Island. It is the second largest city in the province and the principal municipality for the western part of the island.- History :...
. For many years, he taught at Three Oaks Senior High School, during which time he helmed Canada's only intramural Reach for the Top
Reach for the Top
Reach for the Top is a Canadian game show in which teams of high school students participate in local, provincial and eventually national trivia tournaments...
league.
Joining the Island New Democrats, Robichaud ran unsuccessfully in the 2000 provincial election. In 2002, he ran for the leadership of the party, and won with 62 votes over Ken Bingham
Ken Bingham
Ken Bingham is a retired educator and politician in Prince Edward Island, Canada.Bingham was the New Democratic Party candidate in the Canadian federal election, 2004 in the riding of Malpeque. He also ran in the Canadian federal election, 2000 and finished fourth with 781 votes behind Wayne Easter...
with 18 and Deborah Kelly-Hawkes with 4.
He was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
in late 2003. On June 23, 2005, he announced his resignation as New Democratic leader due to his poor health. He died on September 8, 2005, in Summerside. He is survived by his wife, Jaquie, and his daughter, Julia.
He was replaced as New Democratic Party leader in 2006 by Dean Constable
Dean Constable
Dean Constable was the leader of the Prince Edward Island New Democratic Party from 2006 to 2007. He replaced the late Gary Robichaud as leader. Constable previously was the theatre stage manager for the Charlottetown Festival...
.