Historical Vignettes
Archibald Fraser: an Innovative Spirit
In addition to assuring the presidency of the Fraser Company, Archibald Fraser also held directing positions for the Royal Bank of Canada, the New Brunswick Telephone Company, the Maritime Trust Company and the Rolland Paper Company.8
In 1932, Archibald Fraser dies unexpectedly of a heart attack at the age of 63. Leaving behind his second wife Evelyn, his three children and his brother Donald Jr.9 After his death, the Fraser Company continued to operate, and despite economic slumps in the industry, is still very active in the Madawaska area. It would change its administrative structure several times and, what first began as a family oriented structure would gradually disappear.
Increasingly, Fraser would be controlled by interests from outside the province. This was a major turning point in the life of this small pulp and paper business. From its early beginnings as a family-owned business, it is now a modern company associated to a great Canadian corporation.10
In October of 2000, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, celebrated Archibald Fraser's historical importance. A monument was erected at the Fraser Marina in Edmundston, over which we can see the Fraser Pulp Mill.