AMHERST, N.S. — A longtime Amherst chiropractor has passed.
Dr. Adrien J.T. Robichaud died July 2 at Moncton City Hospital.
Born in Richibucto, N.B., the 79-year-old attend St. Joseph’s College in Memramcook, N.B. for two years before studying chiropractic at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.
He practiced chiropractic in Amherst for 55 years, just recently retiring.
In a 2014 interview with the Amherst News he said things had changed a lot since he entered the procession, but patients and the relationships he developed with each of them never changed.
Upon graduation in December 1963 he faced a decision about where to go.
“I could have went up north because there were lots of opportunities there, but I didn’t want to go that far away from my family so I decided to give Amherst a try,” he said in 2014. “I didn’t know it would a 50-year stay.”
He opened his practice in the old Amherst Hotel on Station Street on May 19, 1964 and after three months he moved to a location above the former Goodwin’s Supermarket, where he stayed for five years.
His office was located at his 165 Victoria St. East home since 1969 and his wife, Francine, was the office manager for 40 years.
One of the biggest changes he said he’d seen in a half century is more acceptance and more knowledge of the chiropractic fields. There were times, he said, when patients were reluctant to tell their doctor they were seeing a chiropractor and there were doctors who refused to refer their patients to a chiropractor.
He said doctors today have a greater understanding of the chiropractic field and are more willing to work with a chiropractor to the benefit of the patient as opposed “to it being him or me.”
Chiropractic really is a family business for the Robichauds with 12 chiropractors in the family, including his son, Tony, who operates his own business in downtown Amherst. He said there are a few others in the next generation studying in the field.
He leaves to mourn, his wife, Francesca (Francine) and four children; Adrian Jr. (Sandra), Amherst, Catherine (Keith) Nappan, Dr. Anthony (Susan) Amherst, and Maria (Matthias) from Germany. He will be missed by his loving grandchildren, Astrud, Jonas, Kiana, Myles and Makayla. He is survived by his sister, Carmella Robichaud of St-Louis-de Kent, NB. He also leaves his family of Robichauds who continue the healing hands of Chiropractic, as well as many nieces and nephews who have stayed close.
He was predeceased by siblings : Rita (Leger), Lucille, Stella (Bourque), Dr. Yves, Dr. Louis, Therèse, Dr. Langis and Lorette.
He was an avid music enthusiast who loved Jazz and Latin-American music. He played the trumpet and saxophone. He was a Professional Ballroom Dance Instructor in Davenport, with the Arthur Murray Studio, a member of IPSC and a former Rotarian. In his younger years, he enjoyed trail riding on his motorcycle. He was a long time Mac computer guru.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Jones Family Funeral Centre, 70 Church St., Amherst, NS (902-667-8777) where visiting hours will be held on Friday, July 5, from 6 to 9 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 6 at Holy Family Church, Amherst, NS at 11 am with Father Craig Christenson officiating. Reception will follow.
Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Adrien may do so to the Holy Family Parish Building Fund or the Sisters of Charity.
Sharing of memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Adrien's online memorial atwww.jonesfamilyfuneralcentre.ca or through the Jones Family Funeral Centre Facebook Page.
