BROUGHTON, William Joseph Broughton

Died peacefully in hospital surrounded by family on March 6, 2026, from heart and kidney failure. He was predeceased by his wife Dora, his brother Roger, his parents James and Olwen, stepfather Fred, stepbrother Dean and stepbrother-in-law Vern.

Bill will be profoundly missed by his children David (Trish), Karen (Tom) and Ellen (Chuck) and grandchildren Claire (Will), Gerald, James and their mother Sandra; Nathan (Meetika) and Sam (Fiona); Chris (Brooklynn), Paul (Sara) and Thomas, and great-grandson Rhys, his Ottawa cousin Richard, sisters-in-law Sylvia (Gerrit Jan), Marie-Josée and Joan, step-sister Jane (John) and step-sister-in-law Ginger (Ray) and all their families; and his many other relatives and friends.

Born in Calgary, Bill’s family settled in Ottawa when he was a young boy. Departing each summer by train with paddles in hand, he and Roger developed their love of swimming and sailing and all things athletic at Camp On-Da-Da-Waks on Golden Lake. They also worked there as staff at Red Pine Camp, where waiter Bill met camper Dora at the square dance in 1953. Upon graduating from Lisgar Collegiate he enrolled in the military as a Naval Cdt, spending two years each at RRMC in Victoria and RMC in Kingston. Graduating in 1958 with his BSc in Mechanical Engineering after a finishing year at Queen’s University, he and Dora were married that May, the beginning of their wonderful partnership of 64 years. The newlyweds moved to Massachusetts, where Bill obtained his Masters in Naval Architecture at MIT. His education formed the foundation of a distinguished 37 year career in the Canadian Navy, retiring as Commodore and Director General of Maritime Engineering Management. Amongst his many achievements, Canada’s Restigouche class destroyers all sailed with the stepped lattice mast that Bill designed. “Skipper” (his boyhood nickname) knew how to build and get things done – at Red Pine Camp, you wanted Bill on your Junkyard Wars and Trivial Pursuit teams! Dad dearly loved his many decades of fellowship under the pines, attending his final week just last summer.

There’s no denying that Dad had a competitive streak, but it was partnered with a steadfast commitment to achieving goals and pursuing excellence. All of these drove his lifelong dedication to physical activity and his love for playing games and sports. A local legend on the outdoor rink, he joined senior recreational hockey leagues at the age of 62. He was later inducted into the 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame and played his last game the day after he turned 90! His grandchildren have fond memories of skating and playing shinny with Grandpa.

A swimmer all his life, Bill joined the Nepean Masters Swim Club in his 70’s, who, recognizing his speed (and age!) instantly recruited him for their relay teams. Dad was very proud of the numerous medals he won at provincial and national meets and was especially thrilled to win medals at the World Masters Championships in 2014 in Montreal.

Dad loved learning and playing any and all games, particularly family favourites like Liverpool rummy and Rummoli. Gatherings often included a game filled with laughter and playful competitiveness after supper. Contract bridge was another lifelong love, from his days at military college to the neighbourhood, church, Red Pine and other bridge groups to which he and Dora belonged.

Dad inherited the family cottage on Heney Lake in the Gatineau in our earliest childhood, and it became a focal point of summer holidays. A consummate handyman, he could fix anything. He often could be found out back maintaining the ancient generator, or under the verandah, meticulously leveling the cottage. But work would always stop for a swim before meals, and a watchful eye on the lake at lunch would prompt an afternoon sail.

Gardening was another passion and Dad’s spectacular beds of perennials, spring bulbs, and annuals, along with his vegetable garden and berry patches, were a great source of joy. Dad was thrilled to have a view of the Colonel By Retirement Residence’s wonderful gardens from his 3rd floor suite over the past 9 months.

Bill had a deep conviction regarding what is right, and a quiet spirituality that was evident in his thoughts and actions. These showed in setting examples, teaching how things should be done, and speaking out when he saw unfair treatment of others. He and Dora opened their hearts and home to people of all backgrounds and walks of life. This paralleled the moral compass of their long-time Anglican church, St. John the Evangelist, which was, in his words, his ‘spiritual home’. He served the parish in many positions for over 60 years; indeed, he was woven into its fabric.

Shortly after their marriage, Mum was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Dad’s devoted help was essential to Mum managing her diabetes for a remarkable 60+ years: on his 80th birthday Mum tearfully acknowledged, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you”.

So many people knew Bill because of his breadth of interests and activities. In all of these he is remembered for integrity, kindness, humility, discipline, and devotion. We will all deeply miss our wonderful dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle, cousin and friend, a wise and thoughtful man who dedicated his life to his wife and family, his community and his country.

We are grateful for the wonderful community and support that Dad so enjoyed at his Colonel By home, and for the attentive and compassionate care by Drs Chan and O’Meara, and all the staff of 5 NW at the Ottawa General.

A charitable donation to the Kidney Foundation or Heart and Stroke Foundation would be much appreciated in lieu of flowers.

Family and friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street (at O’Connor) on Friday May 8th from 6-8 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday May 9th at 2pm at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, 154 Somerset St. (at Elgin) with reception to follow at the National Capital Region Officer’s Mess, 149 Somerset St. (across from church).