It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of the much-beloved Roy Longbottom, in this his 95th year after a long and wonderful life. He died at home surrounded by his family, a family of which he was immensely proud.
Roy leaves behind his treasured children, daughter Susan (Pierre Ricard) and son David (Carrie Colton). He was a proud and interested grandpa to Zachary Colton, Marie Pier Ricard (Xavier Bedard) and Martin Ricard (Victoria). Great grandpa to Florence, Edmond, Liam and Mikayla. He is survived by his dear sister Kathleen Tunbridge of Worcester, England. Roy was predeceased by his loving wife Bobbie, to whom he was proudly married for 64 years prior to her death in 2024.
Roy was born in Maltby, South Yorkshire, England in 1931, and after graduating Nottingham University in 1953, and serving as a junior officer in the British Army, he emigrated to Canada in 1956 to find love and opportunity! He was lucky in both, marrying a Canadian girl (Bobbie Neale) and building a long and successful career as an executive at Ottawa Hydro. He continued his lifelong commitment to the armed services, as a long serving member and ultimately LCol Commanding of the Governor General’s Foot Guards. Like dear Bobbie, Roy was an avid tennis player, and they spent many happy days on the courts and on the balcony of the Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club.
He was large in both stature and presence and will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his family and the many friends, colleagues and tennis partners who crossed his path.
Roy’s last several months saw some challenges that required support from special people – and one person who was fundamental to helping Roy make the most of those last months was his daytime caregiver Suzanne Gauthier whose contributions and loving care were deeply appreciated.
Friends and family are invited to attend a remembrance service at Beechwood Cemetery at 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa on May 21, 2026, at 10AM, Interment at 11AM with a Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Roy’s honour can be made to a community cause of your choosing.
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