Remembering 17 remarkable Ottawans who died in 2024

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In 2024, Ottawa Citizen journalists wrote 17 obituaries.

These stories showcase the remarkable lives of people who have made unique and lasting impacts on both the city of Ottawa and Canada at large.

Included in this list: a beloved high school science teacher, an architect who was a prominent force in dozens of city planning decisions and landmarks that have shaped the national captial city, a trailblazing physicist and feminist who fought for abortion rights in Canada, and a man who kept football alive in Ottawa.

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We tip our cap to Ottawa Citizen alumni, WW11 veterans, politicians and a woman who has inspired our city in recent years though her bravery and positivity.

Did you lose someone you loved this year? Tell us about your person and their legacy in the comment section at the bottom of this post.

Obituary: The inspiring marathon of Sindy Hooper

Sindy Hooper died late Friday with medical assistance. She was 61.
Sindy Hooper, who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer more than 11 years earlier, died late Friday with medical assistance. She was 61. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA

‘A true civic giant’: Former regional chair Andy Haydon, 1933-2024

Andy Haydon
A September 2010 file photo of Andy Haydon, who that year ran an unsuccessful election campaign for Ottawa mayor. Photo by Chris Mikula /POSTMEDIA

Beloved teacher Roger Taguchi was the ‘whirlwind’ of Hillcrest High

Roger Taguchi
Roger Taguchi pictured in this 2001 Citizen photo, when he footed the $1,900 cost to send the Hillcrest rugby team to a tournament out of his own pocket. Photo by Lynn Ball /POSTMEDIA

Gay Cook (1930-2024) championed Ottawa’s culinary community through her columns

Gay Cook
A September 2009 file photo of Gay Cook, who was then retiring as food columnist for the Ottawa Citizen. Photo by PAT MCGRATH /POSTMEDIA

Obituary: Ottawa Citizen wine writer Peter Ward championed great bottles

Peter Ward
In 2002, Peter Ward retired from writing his popular Ottawa Citizen wine column after 29 years. Photo by Pat McGrath /POSTMEDIA NETWORK

Obituary: Scientist, violinist, ballet dancer Patricia Taylor played key role in the ‘Canadian Caper’

Patricia Taylor
A member of the Order of Canada, Patricia Taylor died in September in Ottawa at the age of 95. Photo by Nathan Denette /THE CANADIAN PRESS

Obituary: Perth’s André Hissink (1919-2024) a ‘true hero’ of the Second World War

André Hissink
André Hissink was a third-year law student when, in October 1939, he was mobilized by the Dutch armed forces. He would escape the country after the German invasion, learn to fly and take part in more than 60 bombing missions over Europe. Photo by Museum Englandvaarders /HANDOUT

‘A REALLY, REALLY KIND MAN’: Remembering former Ottawa Rough Riders owner Bernie Glieberman (1939-2024)

Lonie Glieberman Bernie Glieberman
Lonie Glieberman, with his dog Bo, sits with his father Bernie Glieberman in a photo taken last week. Bernie Glieberman, a former owner of the Canadian Football League’s Ottawa Rough Riders and Ottawa Renegades, died Monday. Photo by Lonie Glieberman photo /HANDOUT

Obituary: Journalist Courtney Tower, dean of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, 1932-2024

Courtney Tower Obituary
Journalist Courtney Tower never once stopped asking questions,” his daughter said. Photo by Tower Family Photo /HANDOUT

Obituary: Blodwen Piercy was a pioneering physicist, feminist and activist

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Dr. Henry Morgentaler with Blodwen and Joe Piercy
Dr. Henry Morgentaler with Blodwen and Joe Piercy in Ottawa. Blodwen met Morgentaler through the humanist movement, and later worked in support of him through the Canadian Abortion Rights Action League. Photo by Provided /POSTMEDIA

Obituary: Kathleen Walker (1946-2024) the ‘Duchess’ of the Ottawa Citizen newsroom

Kathleen Walker
Kathleen Walker worked at the Ottawa Citizen for 22 years, ending in 1996. POSTMEDIA

Obituary: Bryan Wannop decorated for bravery while working in hot spots for CIDA, UN

Bryan Wannop Frank Kajfes
Bryan Wannop, left, and Frank Kajfes were married in 2007, two years after gay marriage was legalized in Canada. Photo by Bruno Schlumberger /POSTMEDIA

Obituary: Dunrobin farmer Leo Muldoon became the face of the 2018 tornado

Melanie Armstrong Leo Muldoon
Leo Muldoon, who was blown off his barn roof during the Dunrobin tornado in 2018, is seen here with daughter Melanie Armstrong during his recovery at the Civic campus of The Ottawa Hospital. Photo by Wayne Cuddington /POSTMEDIA

Roland ‘Roly’ Armitage (1925-2024): Normandy veteran dies just days after D-Day anniversary

Roly Armitage
Roland ‘Roly’ Armitage, war veteran, veterinarian and community builder died in Ottawa on June 19 at age 99. Photo by Rod MacIvor /THE OTTAWA CITIZEN / POSTMEDIA NETWORK

Obituary: Architect Stig Harvor (1929-2024) designed pool at 24 Sussex, Sparks Street Mall

Stig Harvor Architect
Stig Harvor spent 35 years in Ottawa as a commercial and federal government architect and designed the pool house at 24 Sussex Dr., along with the Brooke Claxton Building, now a federal heritage building, in Tunney’s Pasture. Photo by Harvor Family Photo /HANDOUT

Obituary: ‘Spider man’ Charles Dondale wrote books, papers, poems about spiders

Charles Dondale
Charles Dondale, one of the country’s foremost spider experts, has died in Carleton Place. He was 95. Photo by Photo courtesy of the Dondale family

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