Henry Walter Wedge

WEDGE, Ph.C., HENRY W.. pharmacist, property owner, and sheep breeder; b. 27 December 1908 in Summerside, son of John P. Wedge and Adele Arsenault, both originally from Mont Carmel; m. firstly 25 September 1935 Marie L. Delaney, and they had two children, J. H. Richard and Carol Ann; m. secondly, in Moncton, September 1962, E. Marie Condrick of Boston, and there were no children; Roman Catholic; d. 15 June 1972 in Halifax.Wedge, a Conservative, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1959 for 3rd Prince. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1962 and 1966. He was defeated in the general election of 1970. On 17 September 1959, Wedge was appointed Minister of Welfare and Labour, and served as Minister of Health from 1965 until 28 July 1966. He was named Islander of the Year for 1965 for launching a program dedicated to housing for senior citizens. One of the results of this program was the construction of Summerset Manor in Summerside. Before beginning his provincial political career, Wedge was an alderman in Summerside from 1938 to 1950. From 1950 to 1956, he served as Mayor of Summerside. During his years in the Mayor's office, a number of buildings were erected in Summerside, including the Summerside High School auditorium and the Summerside Junior High School. As well, Queen Elizabeth Park was constructed and the Civic Stadium project was begun. Wedge received his early education in Summerside. He attended St. Dunstan's College, and later Dalhousie University, where he graduated from the pharmacy program in 1935. Wedge began his pharmacy career at Enman Drug Company in Summerside, and later became the majority shareholder and manager. He was one of the principals of Hillcrest Housing Corporation and owned Wedge Realties. Wedge was active in promoting and preserving the Acadian culture. He was president of the PEI Pharmaceutical Society, president of the Summerside branch of the La Societe St-Thomas-d'Aquin, and La Societe l'Assomption, a member of the Board of Governors of St. Dunstan's University and president of the Alumni, and was founding member of the Acadian Museum. Wedge was a sheep breeder and contributed to the Egmont Bay and Mont Carmel Exhibitions. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and achieved the distinction of serving as Grand Knight. He was also an active member of the Kinsmen Club. Henry Wedge died 15 June 1972 at Victoria General Hospital. Marie Wedge, the daughter of Dr. Mark Delaney and Marie Cosgrove of Wellington, died on 13 September 1961.