Staff Writer
The Caribou Rehab and Nursing Center was named Business of the Year at the recently held annual Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Recognition night.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Bethany Courchene, outgoing president of the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s board of directors, presented the annual Business of the Year Award to Caribou Rehab and Nursing Center owner, Albert Cyr and his son Phil, administrator at the healthcare facility. The award was presented during the Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual recognition dinner, held recently at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center.
In 1972, Albert Cyr made a decision to no longer be a farming man and busied himself by looking for land to purchase where he could construct a nursing home in Caribou. On May 8, 1973, caribou Rehab and Nursing admitted its first resident. Three years later, this facility went from a 60-bed nursing home to 110 beds.
In 1976 Cyr purchased the Aroostook Convalescent facility in Presque Isle. All of Cyr’s six children have been or are currently involved with the facilities as licensed administrators and bookkeepers. Phil Cyr is the Caribou Nursing and Rehab administrator and part owner of the Millinocket Nursing Home.
Since 1973 the nursing facilities have served over 2,000 residents in Caribou; paying over $2 million in property taxes. The Caribou location has paid approximately $50 million in payroll over its history and employees an estimate 135 individuals.
