CHARLEBOIS, William Denzil “Denny”

Jul 17, 2019

1936 – 2019

Suddenly, in hospital, on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, Denny passed away. Denny was 82 years young and was the beloved husband and best friend to Adrienne (Audrey) Crépin for the past 58 years. He was the dear father, best friend and mentor to Jeffrey (Brynn McLachlan) of Saskatoon, Kim (Bruno LaVecchia) of Ottawa and Bradley of Mont Tremblant. He was also the proud grandfather of Alissa (Nigel), Shayla (Velen), Sarah Anne, Liam, Marie-Christine and Parker. Denny was predeceased by his brothers Stanley and Cletus as well as sisters Bernice (late Joe Brown) and Viola Veck (Stu). He is survived by his sisters Maureen (Maurice Lalonde) of Edmonton and Erma Williams (late Frank) of Trenton. Predeceased by his mother Marguerite Hammill and his father Basil Charlebois. Denny graduated from South Carleton High and furthered his studies in advanced political science and economics at Carleton University. Denny was very proud of his roots, his family and his 36-year career in the high technology areas of the Public Service of Canada. His career plan was to gain experience in a new government department every 5 years in order to broaden his perspective of the Federal Government. In that context, he worked in the Dominion Bureau of Statistics, Defence Production, Supply & Services, Manpower and Immigration, Canada Employment & Immigration Commission, Statistics Canada and the Solicitor General Office. All of this experience qualified him for a secondment with the Canadian Centre for Management Development as a visiting faculty member focusing on the Canadian Executive Interchange Program, where he mentored Senior Executives from both the Federal Government and the Private Sector with respect to their possible management roles with the Federal Government. Denny was a passionate softball player, skier, windsurfer, curler and golfer, as well as an active volunteer. “President of numerous organizations:  Ottawa Valley Curling Association where he also served as Historian; Governor General’s Curling Club (Emeritus member);  Strathcona Cup Tours to and from Scotland; Twinning Games between The Hague and Ottawa; Mixed Curling Tours between Ottawa Valley Curling Clubs and the Renfrewshire Province in Scotland, Lake Ste. Marie Ski Club, Pillar Society, to name a few. Denny was a member of the City View Curling Club, Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club and the Broomhall Curling Club in Scotland. He loved the family cottage at Lake-Sainte-Marie; the retirement home on the Rideau; the numerous vacations around the world and the winter months spent in Naples, Florida. He described himself as a passionate Canadian, a proud former public servant, a compulsive volunteer, an avid sportsman, a humourist, but most of all, a man who deeply loved his family and many friends.

Many thanks to our many amazing neighbors who were quick to assist until the Fire Department, Paramedics and the Ottawa Police Department arrived. Also, many thanks to the compassionate and very professional staff of the Kemptville Hospital and the Ottawa Heart Institute. A Celebration of Denny’s life will be held at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club, One Hunt Club Road, between 1:00 and 4:00 pm on Sunday, August 4, 2019.

In memoriam, donations to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation; https://foundation.ottawaheart.ca/, would be most appreciated.

ADD A MEMORY

10 Comments

  1. Claire Paquin September 19, 2020 at 12:53 pm - Reply

    So saddened Audrey with the news of the sudden loss of your dear husband! He was such a gentleman ! Only met him on few occasions but left a memorable mark on both my husband and I! Nice seeing you again at the Hunt yesterday!

    Claire and Mike Paquin

  2. David Tucker August 21, 2019 at 12:59 pm - Reply

    One of my all time favorite people. Just a wonderful person with a great sense of humor! A great athalete and wonderful human being ! I will miss him very much and treasure our friendship ! He left us way to early.

  3. Kendall Lougheed August 6, 2019 at 6:30 pm - Reply

    I will never forget how his eyes would light up and his face would turn into a big smile. We’ll miss you, Denny.

  4. Pierrette Rozon July 30, 2019 at 2:47 pm - Reply

    Audrey and family, my deepest condolences. Denny was an amazing human being who knew how to make people feel their best. I was very happy to work for and with him. His sense of humour was the greatest. I had not seen him for many years but always thought of him fondly. God surround you with his love and comfort.

  5. Raymond crépin July 23, 2019 at 1:01 am - Reply

    Oui Denny etait un vrai gentlemen il était un homme droit et il a toujours été un homme avec des valeurs il ne jujais jamais personne tous l’aimaient il avait un coeur à la bonne place et aimait les gens avec qu’il était.

  6. soula koutras July 22, 2019 at 3:27 pm - Reply

    Audrey and family, Please accept our heartfelt condolences, on behalf of my parents, Tasia and Kosta Koutras, and myself. Denny was a lovely and charismatic man with a passion for life, we love how he embraced our culture and cuisine. We hope that your heavy hearts will be lightened a bit by all the wonderful memories and moments you have of him. Hugs.

  7. Pat Ganim July 22, 2019 at 1:57 pm - Reply

    Audrey, Jeff, Kim and Brad,
    Can’t even begin to tell you how sorry we are to hear of this sad news. We are still in shock! He will be so missed, he touched so many lives, such a gentleman and always made everybody feel like they mattered. He was awesome with advice and his sense of humour was second to none. He will be sorely missed, but we will find comfort in the great memories that he leaves behind.
    You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
    Love you.
    The Ganim Family, 💜

  8. Pat Tierney July 20, 2019 at 6:11 pm - Reply

    Audrey and family – so sad to hear this. Denny was always a gentleman, personable and oh so funny.
    He will be missed by many and although I hadn’t seen him in a couple of years, remember fondly the golf tournaments, lunches and many other social events of which he was so much a part. God bless
    Pat

  9. Ken Lyons July 20, 2019 at 3:47 pm - Reply

    Dear Audrey,
    My sincerest condolences to you and your family. Fortunately, you have many beautiful memories of your many years together – recall then often.
    I have many fine memories of my encounters with Denny – the latest at Pastrami Dans in Naples where we enjoyed listing to his latest joke, told so well. And I will always remember him running across a fairway at the Hunt Club to ensure he said hello and give me his best.
    He was a wonderful person who so many will miss so much.
    Audrey, God Bless and take good care of yourself.
    Ken Lyons

  10. Terry Veck July 20, 2019 at 3:10 pm - Reply

    Godspeed Uncle Denny. Prayers to Aunt Audrey. There really are no words to comfort you at this time. Just know that I know you will relish in all the wonderful memories.

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All Memories

Claire Paquin

So saddened Audrey with the news of the sudden loss of your dear husband! He was such a gentleman ! Only met him on few occasions but left a memorable mark on both my husband and I! Nice seeing you again at the Hunt yesterday! Claire and Mike Paquin

David Tucker

One of my all time favorite people. Just a wonderful person with a great sense of humor! A great athalete and wonderful human being ! I will miss him very much and treasure our friendship ! He left us way to early.

Kendall Lougheed

I will never forget how his eyes would light up and his face would turn into a big smile. We'll miss you, Denny.

Pierrette Rozon

Audrey and family, my deepest condolences. Denny was an amazing human being who knew how to make people feel their best. I was very happy to work for and with him. His sense of humour was the greatest. I had not seen him for many years but always thought of him fondly. God surround you with his love and comfort.

Raymond crépin

Oui Denny etait un vrai gentlemen il était un homme droit et il a toujours été un homme avec des valeurs il ne jujais jamais personne tous l'aimaient il avait un coeur à la bonne place et aimait les gens avec qu'il était.

soula koutras

Audrey and family, Please accept our heartfelt condolences, on behalf of my parents, Tasia and Kosta Koutras, and myself. Denny was a lovely and charismatic man with a passion for life, we love how he embraced our culture and cuisine. We hope that your heavy hearts will be lightened a bit by all the wonderful memories and moments you have of him. Hugs.

Pat Ganim

Audrey, Jeff, Kim and Brad, Can't even begin to tell you how sorry we are to hear of this sad news. We are still in shock! He will be so missed, he touched so many lives, such a gentleman and always made everybody feel like they mattered. He was awesome with advice and his sense of humour was second to none. He will be sorely missed, but we will find comfort in the great memories that he leaves behind. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love you. The Ganim Family, 💜

Pat Tierney

Audrey and family - so sad to hear this. Denny was always a gentleman, personable and oh so funny. He will be missed by many and although I hadn't seen him in a couple of years, remember fondly the golf tournaments, lunches and many other social events of which he was so much a part. God bless Pat

Ken Lyons

Dear Audrey, My sincerest condolences to you and your family. Fortunately, you have many beautiful memories of your many years together - recall then often. I have many fine memories of my encounters with Denny - the latest at Pastrami Dans in Naples where we enjoyed listing to his latest joke, told so well. And I will always remember him running across a fairway at the Hunt Club to ensure he said hello and give me his best. He was a wonderful person who so many will miss so much. Audrey, God Bless and take good care of yourself. Ken Lyons

Terry Veck

Godspeed Uncle Denny. Prayers to Aunt Audrey. There really are no words to comfort you at this time. Just know that I know you will relish in all the wonderful memories.

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