Trimac retiree turns 100

Feb. 24, 2021
Canada-based bulk transporter celebrates longtime driver Roger Beauchemin's milestone birthday with tank truck convoy, gifts

Retired Trimac Transportation driver Roger Beauchemin recently celebrated his 100th birthday.

The Canadian centenarian, who turned 100 on Feb. 11, began his career with Trimac—which recently turned 75—in May 1948, when its business in Montreal, Quebec, Canada still was called Solange Cartage. He drove for 38 years before retiring in March 1986.

In honor of the momentous occasion, Beauchemin’s grandson, Francis Mercier, asked Trimac to assist with a celebration, so its team based in Quebec organized a truck convoy to cruise by Beauchemin’s residence and celebrate with him from a safe distance, in order to ensure his continued good health during the pandemic. 

Beauchemin said he loved his experience in trucking and has many fond memories from his time with Trimac. 

The first truck he drove was a GM, and the last was a White Western. Throughout his career, he hauled mostly cement and heavy equipment in Quebec and Ontario. His work included hauling large pieces of cement used to build various bridges throughout the province of Quebec.

The work he loved most was his first trip to Sept-Îles, Quebec. At the time, the commute was all on gravel roads. Beauchemin enjoyed his trips to various dams for Hydro-Québec to deliver cement used for their construction. He was also responsible for hauling the cement for the construction of the Louis-Hippolite-Lafontaine Tunnel, and for St-Helen’s Island for the 1967 International and Universal Exposition, or Expo ’67. 

To mark the occasion, a collectible model Mack Truck, 50th anniversary book, and memorabilia were sent to Beauchemin.

“Trimac would like to thank Beauchemin for all his hard work in hauling the materials that built many of the iconic structures in and around Quebec, and also for allowing our company to be a part of his tremendous celebration,” the company said.

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