N.B. Potato Hall of Recognition inducts Class of 2008

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By Bryan Tait

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Two members of the New Brunswick potato industry joined a select group on Friday night.

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PHOTO BY BRYAN TAIT

Don Keenan, right, presents the Potato Hall of Recognition Award to Archie Bubar, representing his father, inductee Paul Bubar.

PHOTO BY BRYAN TAIT

Gailen Allen, far left, presents the Potato Hall of Recognition Award to the family of inductee Ron Piper. From left are Allen, Melody Piper, Heidi Piper, Brian DuPlessis, chairperson of the hall selection committee, and Marilyn Strong, president of the Potato World board of directors.

Paul Bubar and the late Ron Piper were inducted into the New Brunswick Potato Museum's Hall of Recognition at Potato World in Florenceville.

The hall recognizes individuals for their contributions to the potato industry and their communities. Past inductees include McCain Foods founders Harrison and Wallace McCain, Yvon Ouellette, Donald Young and Anton L. Pray.

With 2008 declared the International Year of the Potato by the United Nations, Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen said that made the evening even more special, honouring two men who had great impacts on the international potato market.

Woodstock MLA David Alward also offered his praise of the inductees.

"They used their God-given talents as entrepreneurs," Alward said. "They made a tremendous impact on their industry."

Marilyn Strong, president of the board of directors of Potato World, said it is important to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the industry, and that it's an expression of pride for those who live in New Brunswick's Potato Belt.

"The potato farmer has great determination," Strong said. "You keep on going."

Bubar is the founder of Paul E. Bubar & Sons Ltd. and a former Spudman of the Year. Unfortunately, due to illness, Bubar was unable to attend the ceremony. His son Archie accepted the award for his father.

"He loved to farm," the younger Bubar said. "It was existence, it was his life."

Don Keenan, a friend of Bubar who also presented the award, described him as a great contributor to the industry.

"Paul never missed an opportunity to knock on a door and try and sell a bag of potatoes or seed," Keenan said.

Bubar was known for travelling and promoting New Brunswick potatoes throughout North America, Holland and the United Kingdom, and spent his life involved in the development and promotion of the province's potato industry.

Archie Bubar described his father as a man who taught three sons how to farm and do business, more importantly, how to live life.

"My dad was a good potato farmer," Bubar said. "He was a good dad, too."

Ron Piper, who passed away in the spring, was a former chairman of Potatoes New Brunswick, and was remembered as a charismatic advocate for the industry.

"He was well-known and respected by farmers, government officials and industry stakeholders in Canada and the U.S.," said Gailen Allen, who presented the award to Piper's widow Yolanda.

Allen said Piper was always looking to the future, encouraging young people to get involved in the industry.

"He believed the potato industry was vital to New Brunswick," Allen said.

Piper's wife thanked the crowd for their support over the past few months. "Ron would have been humbled but proud to be recognized by his peers," she said.