The City of Blainville has paid tribute to Angelo D’Almeida, a Portuguese immigrant, builder and community pioneer whose work helped shape the Côte-Saint-Louis neighbourhood.
During a ceremony held on Aug. 29, the municipal chalet at Pedro-Da Silva Park was officially named the Angelo-D’Almeida Chalet, ensuring that his contribution will remain part of the city’s collective memory.
D’Almeida arrived in Quebec from the Azores, Portugal, in 1954 and later settled in the parish of Thérèse-De Blainville. Together with his wife, Huguette Franc, he helped pave the way for relatives and friends of Portuguese origin who subsequently established themselves in the area.
A father of seven children, D’Almeida died in 2018. In 2024, his family approached the city to begin the process of commemorating the man recognized as the first Portuguese immigrant to settle in the territory that officially became Blainville in 1968.
Mayor Liza Poulin said the naming recognizes one of the individuals whose personal history is closely connected to the development of the municipality.
“The richness of Blainville’s local history comes from the people who built it and contributed to making it what it is today: a vibrant, welcoming and inspiring city,” Poulin said. She added that D’Almeida’s story reflects the culture of kindness and community solidarity that characterizes Blainville.
A neighbourhood built house by house
D’Almeida’s daughter Suzanne recalled that her father purchased land on Rue Franc in 1959 and built his first home there. As his brothers, sisters and friends arrived in Quebec, many turned to him for help building homes of their own.
He drew plans and completed residences from the foundations to the installation of the final door handles. According to his family, he built approximately 20 homes on Marie-Antoinette and Rémi-Franc streets, along with other residences for Portuguese families elsewhere in Blainville.
Although much of his work was concentrated in Côte-Saint-Louis, his influence extended beyond construction. He became a trusted figure within the area’s emerging Portuguese community and was frequently called upon to install windows and doors, undertake renovations and complete household repairs.
D’Almeida also worked for regional paving companies. In the early 1970s, he established his own asphalt-paving business, providing employment to Portuguese newcomers and other residents of Sainte-Thérèse and Blainville. Even after closing the company, he remained active in the trade and continued helping immigrant families maintain and improve their homes.
A family contribution to newcomer integration
The tribute also recognizes the contribution made by D’Almeida’s wife, Huguette Franc. Suzanne D’Almeida said her mother quickly learned Portuguese, allowing the couple to assist relatives and other newcomers who had limited knowledge of French.
Their assistance extended to immigration documents, income-tax returns, employment-insurance applications, workplace accident claims and medical appointments. At a time when formal settlement services were far less developed than they are today, such informal support could play an essential role in helping immigrant families navigate Quebec institutions and build stable lives.
The D’Almeida family’s experience illustrates how the development of a municipality is shaped not only by official planning and public infrastructure, but also by residents who build homes, create employment and help newcomers become part of the community.
Story preserved inside the chalet
An explanatory plaque installed inside the newly named chalet recounts D’Almeida’s contribution to the Côte-Saint-Louis neighbourhood. Visitors will be able to learn how one immigrant’s construction work and community involvement helped transform the district over several decades.
David Malenfant, municipal councillor for Côte-Saint-Louis, said recognizing residents such as D’Almeida is important for both the district and the city.
“With the Angelo-D’Almeida Chalet, we are ensuring that this name and this family will continue to resonate in our collective memory,” Malenfant said.
The chalet stands in Pedro-Da Silva Park, itself named after an important figure in Portuguese-Canadian history. The addition of Angelo D’Almeida’s name gives the public space another connection to the community’s heritage and to the families who participated in Blainville’s growth.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
Photo 1: The City of Blainville officially named the chalet at Pedro-Da Silva Park in honour of Angelo D’Almeida, a Portuguese immigrant and builder who helped shape the Côte-Saint-Louis neighbourhood.
Photo 2: From left: Florence D’Almeida, Cécile D’Almeida, Francis D’Almeida, Chante-Bois councillor Nicole Ruel, Mario D’Almeida, Suzanne D’Almeida, Côte-Saint-Louis councillor David Malenfant, José Duarte Borges, Blainville Mayor Liza Poulin, Lurdes D’Almeida, Maurice D’Almeida, Mariette D’Almeida and Augustino D’Almeida.
