The AFGS French Canadian Hall of Fame recognized individuals and organizations with French Canadian roots or connections who have made significant contributions to their community, state, or nation through their occupation and/or public service. The hall of fame program was conducted between 2003 and 2018.

Class of 2018

Sr. Helene Cote

Sr.  Helene Cote, pm has devoted more than a half century to religious life.  Sr. Helene was born and raised in Woonsocket. . More

Marc Cote

Marc A. Cote is a Rhode Island state senator who represents Woonsocket and North Smithfield. He has earned the support of the electorate in those communities for the past 24 years. More

Gabriel Drouin

Joseph Drouin started the family genealogy enterprise. He was a distinguished lawyer who around 1913 began a hobby of making family trees for friends. More

Lillian Leger

Lillian G. Leger was also inducted posthumously. Born and raised in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. She began researching her Acadian roots after attending a cultural event in her city. More

Class of 2017

Daniel Boucher

A remarkable young fiddler from Bristol, Connecticut, Daniel stands out as a player because of his technical skill and his complete absorption in Québécois culture. More

Anne Conway

Director of the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, R.I., Anne strives behind the scenes and on the public stage to share the story of French-Canadian history and culture. More

John Desmarais

Former Cumber Police Chief enjoyed a successful career in law enforcement for more than three decades.  More

Most Reverend Louis E. Gelineau

Bishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, R.I. and the first Bishop of French-Canadian ancestry to serve as Bishop of the Providence Diocese. More

Class of 2016

Paul Bourget

Accountant and business advisor, author and historical reenactor.  He is also an appointed member of the Woonsocket School Committee and President of the Museum of Work and Culture Preservation Foundation.  More

Leslie Choquette

Director of the French Institute at Assumption College in Worcester, Mass., educator, award-winner author, and executive of numerous French Canadian historical and research organizations.  More

Lucie Leblanc Consentino

Leading Acadian genealogist, author and lecturer.  More

Duke Robillard

Internationally-known blues and jazz recording artist.  More

Class of 2015

David Belisle

Award-winning high school assistant hockey coach and Little league baseball coach.  More

Karen Bordeleau

Award-winning journalist, educator and former Senior Vice President and Managing Editor of the Providence Journal.  More

Credit Union Central Falls, (now Navigant Credit Union)

Founded in 1915, it was Rhode Island’s first licensed credit union, noted for its support of the French-Canadian immigrant community, primarily in Central Falls, RI.  More

Norman Desmarais

Leader in French and French Canadian social organization, he has authored numerous books on the American Revolutionary War and is a Revolutionary War reenactor.  More

Class of 2014

Paul Audette

Retired Pawtucket business owner and philanthropist. He has devoted decades to advocating for the “voiceless,” including the elderly, at-risk youth, and the homeless.  More

Paul E. Papineau

30 year career as principal and teacher in the Dept. of Defense Dependents School System.  He volunteers and is a docent at the Museum of Work and Culture John Brown House, and Slater Mill.  More

Alfred H. Saulniers Ph.D

Economist and author. He has collaborated on many research presentations about French Canadians in New Bedford, Mass. More

Fr. Philip Salois

Highly-decorated Vietnam War veteran.  After his discharge, he entered the priesthood and serves as Chief Chaplain of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs in Boston and Chaplain of the NE VA Healthcare System.  More

Class of 2013

Bernard Beaudreau

Former Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Bank and past Senior Vice President of the Global Foodbanking Network in Chicago.   More

Richard C. DesLauriers

Retired Special Agent-in-Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Office. More

Cathy Levesque

Executive Director of the Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Center in Woonsocket and former bank marketing executive.  More

Camille Pepin

Decorated World War II Army veteran and co-founder of the Pepin Lumber Company in Woonsocket.  More

Class of 2012

Roger Begin

Dedicated public servant, veteran banker and certified financial planner.  More

Romeo G. Berthiaume

Retired Woonsocket High School teacher and a history of community public service.  More

Claire H. Quintal, Ph.D

Director Emerita of the French Institute at Assumption College, Professor of French and Author of books on French and French Canadian history.  More

Stephen A. White

Renowned Acadian genealogist and author.  More

Class of 2011

Armand B. Chartier, Ph.D

Devoted most of his working life to education. More

Brother Lawrence Goyette, F.S.C.

Established the San Miguel School in Providence in 1993.  More

Richard L. Lafrance

Ttransformed a family-owned, family style restaurant in Westport, Mass.  More

Adelard L. Soucy

Maybe the most beloved figure in Woonsocket during the immigrant transformation in the early 20th Century.  More

Class of 2010

Raymond H. Bacon

Co-Director, Museum of Work and Culture historian, retired Woonsocket educator.  More

Napoleon Lajoie

Hall of Fame Baseball player. More

Aram J. Pothier

Governor, State of Rhode Island 1909-1915 and 1925-1928.  More

Rev. Msgr. Gerard O. Sabourin

Administrator Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Community Exeter, Rhode Island.  More

Class of 2009

Laurent Gousie, Ph.D.

Professor/lecturer in French – Providence College.  More

Eugene A. Peloquin

Retired educator.  More

Moise Potvin

Renown woodcarver and violin maker.  More

L’Union St. Jean Baptiste d’Amerique French-Canadian Benefit Society

Unites fraternally minded persons of French-Canadian origin living in the US  to contribute to their individual and collective progress. More

Class of 2008

William E. Aubuchon Sr.

Founder of the 130 store Aubuchon hardware chain.  More

Brothers of the Sacred Heart

Religious order involved in American education since 1847.  More

Edward Wright

Owner of Wright’s Dairy Farm and Bakery in North Smithfield, Rhode Island.  More

Rhea Bouchard Powers

Columinst, Valley Breeze newspapers.  More

Class of 2007

Richard and Roger Bouchard

Co-owners WNRI Radio, Woonsocket, Rhode Island.  More

Rene L. Dugas, Sr.

Author, genealogist, photographer, taftville, Connecticut.  More

Emile Dubuc

Founder and first President LeFoyer, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. More

Josée Vachon

French-Canadian singer and songwriter.  More

Class of 2006

Richard Beaupre

President and CEO of ChemArt.  More

Dr. J. Gerald Lamoureux, M.D.

Retired physician Woonsocket, Rhode Island. More

Roger Laliberte

French radio program host, retired Coventry Police Chief.  More

Col. Steven M. Pare

Superintendent Rhode Island State Police.  More

Class of 2005

Paul J. Choquette, Jr.

President and CEO of Gilbane Building Company.  More

Clem Labine

Former major league pitcher.  More

The Honorable Francis Lanctot

Former Mayor Woonsocket, Rhode Island.  More

Hon. James R. Langevin

Member of Congress, second district, Rhode Island.  More

Class of 2004

Alphonse Auclair

Former RI State Senator, World War II and Woonsocket Police Department veteran.  More

Bill Belisle

Mt. St. Charles Academy hockey team coach, the only team to win 26 consecutive state championships.  More

Dr. Ulysse Forget, M.D.

Physician from Warren, R.I. who compiled birth and marriage records for the early French-Canadian parishes in Rhode Island.   More

Sister Eugena Poulin, RSM

Author of numerous articles on French-Canadian history and genealogy.  More

Class of 2003

Marie Louise Bonier

Researched the early French-Canadian settlers in Woonsocket.  More

Alphonse Desjardins

In 1900, created the first credit union in North America, the Caisse populaire.  More

René Jetté,

Historian, genealogist, and demographer, has written more than 20 repertoires on French-Canadians.  More

Ben Mondor

Chairman and owner of the Pawtucket Red Sox.  More