Dr. Henri Breault was born in Tecumseh on March 4, 1909, the middle son of Joseph and Maria Breault.

Dr. Henri Breault resided on Tecumseh Road between St. Anne Street and Poisson Street. He attended elementary school in Tecumseh and then went on to the University of Ottawa High School and College and received his B.A. in 1931. Henri continued his education at the University of Western Ontario Medical School in London and received his M.D. in 1936. He did his internship at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Windsor and his residency in Pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. He eventually opened his practice in Windsor in July 1939.

Dr. Breault married Monica, and had two daughters, Elise and Rosemary. He retired in 1980 and died September 5, 1983. He was buried in Tecumseh at St. Anne's Cemetery and was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame on May 29, 1997.

The story of the development of the Palm N' Turn Safety Cap begins in 1957 with the establishment of the Windsor Poison Control Centre to help solve the problem of childhood poisoning, which was very common at the time. Two to three children per day were brought to the centre to have their stomachs pumped because they had ingested different kinds of medications, remedies, vitamins, and household solvents that were in containers easy to uncap. He felt a simple solution of prevention had to be found to this common problem. With his agile mind, organizational abilities, dedication and determination, he was able to invent a cap and have it manufactured. Through many hours of lecturing and demonstrations to his colleagues, the pharmaceutical industry, and anyone else who wanted to listen, Dr. Breault was able to get the cap approved by all levels of government.

By January 1972, Ontario made the safety cap mandatory on all containers of medications and household solvents. In 1974, the other provinces followed and the Federal Hazardous Products Act was passed, which mandated safety caps packaging for household products. In 1980, the United States also adopted the safety cap legislation. Since then, child poisoning has been reduced by approximately 92%. Of the remaining 8%, 4 to 5% of poisonings are due to parents not putting the cap on the container. 

It took Dr. Henri Breault 17 to 18 years to get his project completed which shows true dedication and perseverance.

Background criteria

The Town of Tecumseh's Dr. Henri Breault Committee was established in the year 2000 with a mandate to "actively pursue candidates who have displayed continued dedication and perseverance to a cause or causes that have ultimately benefited the citizens of the Town of Tecumseh and the general public at large and presents awards to individuals for their dedication and perseverance”.

Guidelines for selection by Committee

The following are the guidelines for receipt of the Dr. Henri Breault Award:

• The recipient must be a resident of Tecumseh;
• The award is open to all age groups;
• The recipient must be living at the time of selection as recipient of the award;
• The recipient is not limited to an individual; it may include a family, group, or company; and
• The recipient must have had significant accomplishments that benefited the citizens of the Town of Tecumseh or the public at large.

2020 - None Awarded

2019 - None Awarded

2018 - Larry Desanti

2017 - Michael J. Rovers

2016 - Tecumseh Goodfellows Team #35

2014 - Brian Sherwell

2013 - John McGiveny

2012 - Bernarda Camello-Doctor

2010 - Robert (Bob) Waronchak

2009 - Louis Gouin

2008 - Michael Solcz

2007 - Dr. Albert Schumacher

2006 - Tony J. Azar

2005 - Anthony P. Toldo

2004 - Bill Onslow, Anne "Cookie" Rigo, and Michael and Kathleen Rocheleau

2000 - George Rocheleau, Don Lappan, and John Poole

1998 - John Staley

Donny was an employee of the Town of Tecumseh with the Public Works/Water Department for 28 years and a 33 year member of the Tecumseh Fire and Rescue Services Department. He was also a diligent volunteer, having been a past president with the Tecumseh Goodfellows and a member of the Fr. Nicholas Point Council 4375 Tecumseh Knights of Columbus. Donny had a zest for life and brought happiness to those around him. We celebrate the memory of Donny, whose grand voice boomed only in fun and friendship, whose grin made everyone crack a smile, whose positive energy elevated the spirits of all around him.

Background and criteria

The Town of Tecumseh established the Donald “Donny” Massender Memorial Volunteer Award in 2010 to annually recognize a person who has made exceptional contributions to the citizens of the Town, or the public at large and is well-known for his/her work as an outstanding fundraiser, advocate and supporter of charitable organization(s).

Recipients of the Donald “Donny” Massender Memorial Volunteer Award are recognized for the highest level of volunteerism and public service and demonstrate an unselfish desire to help others and have a compassion to assist those in need.

The recipient of the Donny Massender Award will also be nominated for the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism in Ontario and the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship.

The following are the guidelines for receipt of the Donny Massender Award:

• The recipient must be a resident of Tecumseh;
• The award is open to all age groups;
• The recipient must be living at the time of selection as recipient of the award;
• The award is limited to an individual; and
• The recipient must have had a significant level of volunteerism that benefited the citizens of the Town of Tecumseh or the public at large.

2020 - None Awarded

2019 - None Awarded

2018 - Richard Zarour

2017 - Frank Perissinotti

2016 - Rose Rennie

2015 - Joe Chauvin

2014 - John Poole and Robert Labute

2013 - Jan Wright

2012 - Kate Shaw and Andre Letarte

2011 - Ricardo (Rico) Tonial

2010 - Natalie Lapointe 

The Youth of the Year Award was established in 2020.

Recipients of the Youth of the Year Award are recognized for displaying continued dedication and leadership and are the best of Tecumseh’s caring and diverse community who stand as a shining example for everyone. The nominee will have enriched the social, cultural or civic life of the community that has ultimately benefited the citizens of the Town and the general public at large without thought of personal or financial gain. 

The following are the guidelines for receipt of the Youth of the Year Award:

• The recipient must be a resident of Tecumseh;
• The recipient must be under the age of 23;
• The recipient must be enrolled in school (elementary, secondary or post-secondary);
• The recipient must be living at the time of selection as recipient of the award;
• The award is limited to an individual;
• The recipient must demonstrate outstanding community engagement in activities such as, but not limited to, volunteerism, community-based learning or research, outreach partnership, and curricular engagement.

Past Recipients

2021 - Teanna Kavanagh