Memorable Manitobans: Georges Albert Bétournay (1865-1918)

Civil servant, musician.

Born at St. Lambert, Quebec on 10 November 1865, son of Louis Bétournay, he came to Manitoba in 1873 and studied at the St. Boniface College, from which he graduated MA from the University of Manitoba in 1885. He studied law with the firm of Archibald, Howell & Vivian and was appointed recording clerk of the Court of Queen’s Bench. In 1887 he was appointed federal inspector of Indian schools which obligated him to move to Regina, NWT [now Saskatchewan]. He stayed there until 1895 when his office was relocated to Winnipeg.

He was a prominent early musician in Manitoba, serving as organist at St. Mary’s Church in 1882 and, from 1883 to 1887, at the St. Boniface Cathedral. When he returned from Regina, he was appointed organist of the Immaculate Conception. In 1898 he became the organist at St. Boniface, resigned two years before his death.

He died unmarried at St. Boniface, Manitoba on 7 June 1918 and was buried in the St. Boniface Cathedral Cemetery.

Sources:

“St. Boniface Loses A Pioneer Citizen,” Manitoba Free Press, 10 June 1918. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Scrapbook B7]

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 22 December 2012

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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