Reggieville has lost its founder, and Ontario agriculture has lost a passionate Franco-Ontarian advocate.
Réjean Pommainville, 67, a well-respected retired Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) director for Stormont, Glengarry, Prescott, and Russell, died March 21 at 67 years old.
Pre-deceased by son Alain, Pommainville leaves behind his wife Barbara, children Luc and Monique Pommainville, several grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
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“Those who knew him best were blessed by the self-proclaimed ‘little Frenchman,'” said Peggy Brekveld, OFA president. “He made a difference in so many lives, in his farming community and the province at large. His heart would fill a room.”
Brekveld said anytime Pommainville toured agriculture visitors around his region, he proudly showed off St. Albert’s Cheese and local farmers’ operations.
He built trust, connections and respect for himself and his wife Barb throughout his community. His fiery passion for the sector shone brightest when he advocated for agriculture, particularly in French.
“What lingers with me is that Réjean was a farmer who took time to build relationships, to care about his region and the greater good for agriculture and farming,” said Brekveld. “Réjean was all about the people.”
Pommainville began volunteering at his local federation in 1976 and spent decades investing and advocating on behalf of the agricultural sector, specifically the Francophone community he represented.
“I had the pleasure of serving the better part of 20 years on the OFA board with Réjean. A kinder, gentler soul you will never meet,” said Keith Currie, OFA past president. “Yet he had a fierce passion for making agriculture all it could be. I’m saddened by his death but grateful for his friendship.”
In 1993 Pommainville was presented with the prestigious Commemorative Medal for the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada. In 2021 he and his wife Barbara were awarded the Huguette-Parent Price for raising awareness and fostering the preservation of Ontario’s French heritage.
In his spare time – which was limited considering his investment in his family, farming, community, and agriculture – Pommainville’s secret passion was Reggieville, the historic village he was building on his farm, replete with a general store, church, and a jail.
When he retired in the fall of 2021, Pommainville said he would dedicate time to expanding Reggiville, farming and local conservation.
“It’s starting to be a tourism attraction,” he had said. “Agritourism, I’m going to be busy with that.”
Brekveld said his village of handmade buildings and antiques was legendary and many have photos of the skeleton in the jail featuring original bars from the Don prison.
“History and stories behind the people and objects he collected and received mattered so much to him,” she wrote in a tweeted release.
While Pommainville inspired and mentored many to get involved during his lengthy career in agriculture, he was most proud of accessing grants to translate factsheets rapidly to reach the Francophone community within the OFA’s membership and beyond.
“Going to miss our “little Frenchmen” from the “Far East” as he would say, always a laugh, a smile, and a story from him,” tweeted Brent Royce. “He was truly outstanding in his field, and was an honour to get to know him and spend 9 yrs (sic) on the board together.”
