This action shot of Eric Beaudoin was taken in Victoriaville at the 1989 Quebec Provincial Championships.
A few weeks earlier that summer, Eric finished runner-up at the 1989 Canadians Championships played in Halifax.
Many members of the Beaudoin family pitched horseshoes actively in tournaments from 1981 up to 1993.
Sadly, four family members were killed late Saturday August 27, 2011 in a helicopter crash in a wooded area south of Quebec City.
The victims are: Yvon Beaudoin (age 65), his wife Marie-Paule Fréchette (67), their son Eric Beaudoin (43), and Eric's daughter, 8-year-old Mélizandre Beaudoin.
Yvon Beaudoin was a participant at the Canadian Championships in 1981, 1983, 1985 and 1987. His son Eric Beaudoin (pictured above) was a very talented player who participated in
1981,
1983,
1985,
1987,
1988 and
1989.
He won the 1983 Canadian Junior Boys title and was runner-up in the men's in 1987 and 1989.
In Calgary 1988, Eric recorded the high overall average of 75.9% and finished 4th. Yvon and Marie-Paule's two other sons, Marco and Carl Beaudoin have been Quebec junior champions (like Eric was in 1981).
Yvon had 5 brothers that played at least once at the Canadians: Luc Beaudoin (who finished 7th with 66.3% in 1989), Denis Beaudoin, Andre Beaudoin, Serge Beaudoin and Gaetan Beaudoin. Besides his 3 sons, many nephews and nieces also played.
The Beaudoin were known also as gentlemen on and off the courts.
Eric's obituary can be found here. See also Yvon's obituary.
On behalf of Horseshoe Canada we would like to extend our deepest condoleances to the all the family.
see the previous picture of the month.
