Ottawa FireFighter Community Foundation

01/15/2026

2025.12.25 – Monument FLAG AT HALF-MAST in honour of RETIRED TREVOR WOODSIDE, CAPTAIN OFD. Born: April 28.1955 Died: December 25.25 OBITUARY/CELEBRATION of LIFE DETAILS \/
Trevor will be commemorated at the '2026' September Memorial Ceremony
>It is with very heavy hearts that we invite you to join us for a
Celebration of Life for Trevor to be held on Saturday, January 17th, 2026 at 1:00 PM at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre - 290 Lisgar Street, Ottawa, ON, K2P0E3
(Some of Trevor's favourite foods including pizza and Joan's cookies will be served

01/04/2026

2025.12.09 – The Monument FLAG AT HALF-MAST in honour of RETIRED ALLEN COTIE CAPTAIN OFD.
See OBITUARY and VISITATION Details below \/
Born: Mar 8/35 Joined:Dec 2/57
Retired: Mar.31/95 Died: Dec 9/25
Al will be commemorated at the '2026' September Memorial Ceremony
OBITUARY: Surrounded by family at The Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the age of 90 years.
Allen was a proud retired Ottawa Firefighter who had wisdom for all that knew him. He was a thoughtful and caring man that dedicated his life to his family.
Beloved husband of the late Joan (née Matt). Loving and dedicated father of Wendy Cotie and Wanda Cotie.
Cherished grandfather of Jess, Cody, Katie, Madelaine, and Samantha, as well as great-grandfather of Nathaniel, Cameron, Zachary, and Kai.
Predeceased by his parents William Harper Cotie and Jessie (née Campbell) Cotie, and by brothers Kenneth, Donald, Gerald and sister Irene.

VISITATION and CELEBRATION of LIFE will be held at Cole Funeral Services at Pinecrest Cemetery, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa, (613) 831-7122 on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 from 1 to 3 pm with WORDS of REMEMBRANCE at 2pm.
In Memoriam, donations to Canadian Blood Service and the Canadian Cancer Society.

12/11/2025

2025 11 30 - FLAG AT HALF-MAST TO HONOUR JOHN McDONALD DISTRICT CHIEF OFD. John will be commemorated at the '2026' September Memorial Ceremony. Born: May 30, 1944 Joined: May 20, 1069
Retired: May 31, 2004 Deceased: November 30, 2025
OBITUARY:
Born and raised in Ottawa, John spent his life in service to others. His decades with the Ottawa Fire Department remain a source of pride for his family and all who worked beside him.
John’s heart was always with his family. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Maryann, his children Michael (Jennifer Farrell) and Rhonda (Robert Ransom), and his grandchildren Ben, Riley, Morgan, and Cooper, along with his great-grandchild Robin. He leaves behind his sisters Joy McLinton and Sandra Marshall, and is reunited with his late sisters Betty Levy and Audrey Echlin.
Visitation will be held on December 11, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at McEvoy–Shields Funeral Home & Chapel, 1411 Hunt Club Rd., Ottawa, ON. A funeral service for John will follow in the chapel at 2:00pm. Reception to follow.
FUNERAL HOME INFORMATION: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/ottawa-on/john-mcdonald-ofd-12636565

12/10/2025

12/09/2025

2025 12 09 - FLAG AT HALF-MAST TO HONOUR MATTHEW DESCHENES, ACTIVE FIREFIGHTER OFD. Matt will be commemorated at the September '2026' Memorial Ceremony.
OBITUARIES/VISITATION> https://www.nevillefuneralhome.ca/memorials/mathew--deschene/5664439/

All members not on duty for the Visitation and Funeral Service are encouraged to attend in full dress uniform. Your presence will honour Mats legacy, as well as provide comfort for his family.

10/15/2025

https://youtu.be/VKRXrA9w0LA

08/18/2025

2025 08 20 - FLAG AT HALF-MAST TO HONOUR RECENT DEATHS OF RETIREES: PREVENTION CHIEF ANDRE BRIERE (Cumberland FD, and CAPTAIN JOHN CHAPMAN (0ttawa FD. Both will be commemorated at the September '2026' Memorial Ceremony.
See OBITUARIES AND VISITATION DETAILS BELOW \/
=====ANDY BRIERE=======
Born: June 12, 1941
Joined CFD as volunteer - 1965 - full time in 1975
Retired: 2001 Died: August 9, 2025
VISITATION will take place at the Heritage Funeral Complex in Orléans, 1250 Trim Road, on August 19, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and again on August 20, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A CELEBRATION of LIFE will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Sainte-Marie Church, 4831 Innes Road, Orléans. Family and friends are warmly invited to a reception in the church hall immediately following the service
The family of André Briere is requesting members who will provide Vigil Duty during the visitation on August 19th (4:00pm to 8:00pm) and August 20th (9:00am to 10:30am).
Full dress uniform with medals and white gloves required for vigil duty members. Gloves will be made available as required.
INFORMATION>
Contact John Sobey at [email protected] if available for vigil duty or other related inquiries.
=====JOHN CHAPMAN=======
Born: April 4, 1944 Joined OFD; May 3, 1965
Died: August 13, 2025
He was a Captain in the Ottawa Fire Services, where he served for over 35 years. John (KJ) dedicated his life to protecting his community. He was known for his bravery, dedication and sense of humor. Beloved husband of Heather (predeceased), father to son Kevin (predeceased) and daughter Kellie. Brother to sister Beverley (Ken). Beloved uncle to Melody, Tim (Tracey), Derek and Darin.
MEMORIAL SERVICE will be at Cole Funeral Home at the Pinecrest Cemetery on August 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM followed by the inurnment of the Urn. Gathering for extended family and friends from 9 am until 10 am. Memorial Service to begin 10am.
INURNMENT of Urn to follow Memorial Service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dementia Society of Ottawa, Bytown Fire Brigade Historical Society or Smiths Falls First Baptist Church.
The family of John Chapman are welcoming retired and active members of Ottawa Fire Services in uniform for the funeral service.
INFORMATION > Contact John Sobey at [email protected] if available for vigil duty or other related inquiries.

07/10/2025

2025 July
THE OFFCF MONUMENT FLAG FLYS AT HALF-MAST IN HONOUR OF THESE RECENT FIREFIGHTER DEATHS.
THEY SHALL BE COMMEMORATED AT THE SEPTEMBER 5TH CEREMONY.

05/23/2025

2024 CEREMONY : OFS BRASS & PIPE BANDS.

OTTAWA FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL 2024

05/03/2025

[2025 MAY 3 HALF-STAFF FLAG] &
VISITATIONS in honour of
Recent OFD deaths:
🙏Retired Captain ROBERT 'BOB' TREMBLAY &🙏Retired Firefighter KEN ASHLEY. Commemoration at the Sept. 2025 Memorial Ceremony
VISITATIONS:
===ROBERT 'BOB' TREMBLAY===
Born: February 29, 1940
Joined OFD: January 4, 1960
Retired: January 31, 2000
Died: March 13, 2025
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 2 pm at LA COOPÉRATIVE FUNÉRAIRE DE L’OUTAOUAIS, 1369 La Vérendrye Boulevard West in Gatineau. The family will receive condolences as of 1:15 pm. It will be possible to view the ceremony, live or by replay, via https://commemora.tv/fr/diffusions/104642 In case of a technical problem, it will be possible to view at a later time.
====KEN ASHLEY====
Born: February 17, 1938
Joined OFD: August 20, 1957
Retired: December 31, 1969
Died; April 10, 2025
In keeping with Ken’s wishes, NO FORMAL SERVICES ARE PLANNED. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his honor and remembrance to the Dementia Society of Ottawa.
===================≈======