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Claude Nesbitt McKenny
April 15, 1923 - July 29, 2018
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<div itemprop="description">Claude Nesbitt McKenny <br>Captain, First Royal Canadian Regiment (Retired) <br>15 April 1923 to 29 July 2018 <br> <br>One of the last of “The Greatest Generation”, we lost a True Canadian, an Officer and a Gentleman on July 29, 2018. Claude Nesbitt McKenny passed away peacefully at Perley Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre in Ottawa. He leaves his beloved wife and companion of 74 years, Dorothy (“Dode”, nee Nadeau) and his loving children, Jane (Garry) Drew of Parham, Jim (Christine Johnson) of Toronto and David of Ottawa. He was a proud and devoted grandfather to Jennifer Drew (Andrew Jones), David Drew (deceased), Mia McKenny (deceased) (Peter Valentine) and Jason McKenny. He will be dearly missed by his adoring great-grandchildren Wills and Edie Jones (Ottawa) and Emma and Lily Valentine (Australia). Also, predeceased by his brothers George (Lorraine) and Jimmy (Janet). Born and raised in Ottawa, Claude attended the High School of Commerce where he met the love of his life. “Dode and Claude” married in 1944. He had joined the Canadian Army in 1942, and served his country during the Liberation of the Netherlands in World War II, during the Korean War and as a peace keeper in Vietnam. He retired from his military career as a Captain at Army Headquarters in Ottawa. Claude’s love of athletics lead him to a 20 year post-retirement career at the Men’s Health Club at the Ottawa YMCA. Claude was a natural and life-long athlete, competing in many sports, most notably hockey and golf. He actively played hockey throughout high school and during his military service. A loyal member of the Hylands Golf Club, Claude enjoyed the game of golf until the age of 90. At age 65 he ran his first marathon, and subsequently volunteered at the Pretoria Bridge rest station of the Ottawa Marathon for 25 years. Claude shared his love of sport by giving back to his community as a founder and coach of the Cradle Hockey League and as President of the Suburban Hockey League. He was a member of the West End Kiwanas Club responsible for funding junior hockey programmes. At one time he was a Scout for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. Claude nurtured a broad network of friends and acquaintances, a testament to his gracious, respectful and social personality. He was a sincere and loyal friend cherished by all who knew him. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday 9 August at the Pinecrest Visitation Centre, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa, Ontario. The family will receive visitors from 11:00 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m.. Guests are invited to join the family for a reception afterwards. The McKenny Family would like to pass on their sincere thanks to the staff at the Perley-Rideau Veteran’s Health Care Centre for their outstanding care of Claude. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Claude’s memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. <br> <br> <br>.</div>