Hector J. Cormier, 89, of Moncton, retired teacher and former Executive Director of the Société Nationale des Acadiens (SNA), passed away on March 9, 2026. Born in Moncton, he was the son of Hector E. Cormier and Amélia Richard.
He is survived by one sister, Carmella (Cormier) Horsman of Riverview; one sister-in-law, Rose-Marie (Aldé) Cormier of Moncton; as well as several nieces and nephews and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two sons: Yves and Claude; two sisters: Sr. Laura Cormier, n.d.s.c., and Norma Parkhill; as well as three brothers: Robert, Aldé and Albert. Two other brothers died in infancy.
Hector Cormier was a teacher by profession. He taught in Saint-Philippe (Weisner), Dieppe (Sacré-Cœur and Sainte-Thérèse), and Moncton (Harrison-Trimble, Vanier and Mathieu-Martin). He served as a school principal (Sacré-Cœur), director of evening classes (Mathieu-Martin), educational consultant (School District No. 15), and head of the French department (Vanier intermediate school in Moncton).
He took a three-year leave from teaching, from 1971 to 1973, to serve as Executive Director of the Société Nationale des Acadiens. During his tenure, many efforts were made to obtain duality within the Department of Education. At the end of his time with the SNA, Acadians established their own organization to promote and defend their rights, the Société des Acadiens et des Acadiennes du Nouveau-Brunswick (SANB), whose leadership was entrusted to the organization’s then assistant, Michel Bastarache. It was also during his time as Executive Director that the National Acadian Day was widely popularized.
Hector Cormier served as vice-president of the Association canadienne d’éducation de langue française and national vice-president of Services à la famille Canada. He also served as secretary and provincial president of the Société des enseignantes et des enseignants retraités francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick from 2003 to 2007. He served as chair of the board of Services à la famille Moncton as well as the Coalition for the Rights of Seniors and Nursing Home Residents of New Brunswick.
In 2001, he received the "Human Sciences" award from Amitiés acadiennes for his book La scission du district scolaire no 15, l’histoire d’une lutte, mais surtout d’une victoire. At the École Normale in late 1956, he received the Dr. H.H. Hagerman scholarship, awarded to the student who demonstrated, to the highest degree, the qualities of a true teacher. The Association francophone des aînés du Nouveau-Brunswick awarded him the Prix Willie-Lirette, while the Société des enseignantes et des enseignants retraités francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick later named him a distinguished member after presenting him with its Reconnaissance prize.
A celebration of his life will take place on Monday March 30, 2026 at 10:30 am at Frenette Funeral and Cremation Centre, 88 Church Street, Moncton (506-858-1900). Visiting hours are Sunday March 29 2026 from 2 to 4 pm only. Interment will be at Our Lady of Calvary cemetery in Dieppe. In memory of Hector, a contribution to the New Brunswick Public Libraries Foundation (https://www.librariesfoundation.ca/).
Words of comfort and donations may be done at www.frenettefuneralhome.com.