LCol (Retired) Brian George Wattie

Lieutenant Colonel Brian George Wattie CD (Retired)

Passed peacefully after a brief illness at the Montfort Hospital in Ottawa. He was 86.
He is survived by Sheila, his beloved wife of 63 years, children Chris, Laura Jean, and Craig, grandchildren Ariel, Tommy, Seth, Sophie, and Stella, as well as family members Rob, Sharon and Janet. A 28-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force, since boyhood he had been passionate about all things of aviation both as an RCAF officer and a lifelong model airplane enthusiast.
He began his military career as an air navigator and served aboard CP107 Argus maritime patrol aircraft throughout the Cold War, patrolling Canada's maritime borders from bases on both coasts, including Summerside, PEI, Comox, BC, Greenwood and Halifax NS. An early advocate for and adopter of high technology, he was largely responsible for the design and programming of the CP-140 Auroras that to this day guard Canada's borders and support Canadian Armed Forces operations overseas, and was an early developer and promoter of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). A graduate of the RCAF bush survival and Arctic survival schools, he remained an avid camper, canoeist, and outdoors adventurer.
A long-standing and active member of the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada and the Ottawa Radio-Control Club, he was a noted and skilled scale model builder and flier who was always ready with advice or help for his many friends in the model airplane community.
Brian loved life and was happiest meeting people from all walks of life, as he did in his many volunteer pursuits over the years - from Cub Scout leader to Distress Centre volunteer to helping in the arts department of the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre. He had a great sense of humour and a well-developed sense of fun and was a mentor, helper, advocate and supporter to military comrades old and new; as well as a patient teacher and helper to his children and grandchildren, building decks, fixing appliances, and repairing or reconditioning vehicles from bicycles to cars.
He and his family very much appreciated the care he received over the years from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and Dr. R. Yelle.
His friends and family will always miss his playful sense of humour and his steadfast support.
A Memorial service will be held at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 1 p.m.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre.