Bob Michaud Student Bursary

Posted by John Smale 
on Apr 13, 2015
 
With the first presentation of the Bob Michaud Student Bursary, John Smale recognized it as a special day for many reasons.  With us today is Bob Michaud Senior, a long time Rotarian and friend and loving father to Bob as well as Bob's wife Carol-Lynn who has so generously initiated this yearly bursary in Bob's honour. (pictured back row:  Len Kennedy, Maureen Piercy, Dianne Spencer, John Smale; front row:  Clara Quinn, Bob Michaud Sr., Carol-Lynn Michaud).  Bob was an exemplary Rotarian.  His funeral service was a sad occasion in that we were mourning our great loss of a friend.  However, it was one of the best celebrations of life we have experienced because we reviewed a life well lived.  Bob was many faces to many people, but the following inscription on the bursary certificate reminds us of Bob's character and personality.
 
This Bursary is presented annually in memory and celebration for the life of Robert George Michaud.
 
Bob was raised and educated in Belleville before graduating from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario with a degree in Arts.  Bob's early career was with GM in Oshawa before returning home to purchase the family business, Michaud Fine Furniture and Carpets Ltd., from his father, Robert Michaud Sr.
 
Bob's reputation in business was marked with the same traits that guided his personal and community lives.  Bob was, at once, a six foot four inch bundle of Energy, Exuberance, Honesty and Compassion.  In addition to his successful business career, Bob was an Elder and pillar of his Church, a dedicated Rotarian and devoted family man and friend.
 
Bob had a unique ability to identify needs within his country and the world, which others could not see, to ask questions others could not visualize and then act upon their resolution.  Bob was truly a larger than life character.  Most of all, Bob Michaud was the Consummate Salesman.  Bob loved the art and challenge of sales and used it, combined with a magnetic personality, to lead and inspire others.
 
This Bursary becomes a part of Bob Michaud's legacy.  It is hoped that you, the worthy recipient, will use these bursary funds to lead and inspire others as Bob Michaud did during his life.
 
The Bob Michaud Bursary of $500 annually is to be awarded to a recipient 21 or younger who has displayed the attributes of a student active in community service, who also displays entrepreneurial spirit and who is active in sports (and not golf in particular).  Dianne Spencer, on behalf of Loyalist College was pleased to announced this year's recipient, Clara Quinn, who completed the Business Administration program in 2014 and is currently studying Public Relations and will graduate in June.  Clara recently was the communication media co-ordinator for the Women's U19 floor ball team as well as a team leader.  She is an INACTUS student member and participated in the Build Belleville deputation.  She is the coach of the badminton varsity team and is dedicated to keeping young professionals working in the region and to help attract new business to this area.