Obituary of Robert Aldrich

With deep sadness and a heavy heart, we announce the passing of Robert Aldrich, peacefully on January 5, 2024, in the presence of his wife and children.

Son of Frank Leo and Dolly (Sauvé), Rob was born in Ottawa on December 23, 1957. He grew up in Old Ottawa East as one of eight children.

Rob married his high school sweetheart, best friend, and love of his life, Joanne (nee Draper). Enjoying over 43 years of marriage, they built a beautiful life together with their two children, Rachelle (Alex Bushell) and Elizabeth (Jeffrey Corbeil). Theirs was a love story of the ages.

Rob was larger than life, in all respects – his personality and love touched many, reaching beyond his enormous wingspan. Everyone who knew him had a story (or ten) about him, all ending with a smile and a laugh. His generosity expanded his family to include many additional members – colleagues, friends, and many of his daughters’ friends whom he considered his “adoptive” children, and who always considered Rob and Joanne’s house home.

He was proud of many things, but nothing made him prouder than his grandchildren and he was happiest once he became Bumpa to Charlotte, Beatrice, Evangeline, and Cordelia, as well as to Henry and Jackson and his other adopted grandchildren.

His laughter, his love, his advice, and his jokes will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to know and love him. His memory will live on in those he loved who will always have some of his antics.

In our time of sadness, we take comfort in our memories and stories of Rob, knowing he would want us to share them over a drink or two, by a bonfire and with a guitar. 

Please join his family for a celebration of life to raise a glass to Rob at the Westboro Legion, 389-391 Richmond Road, in Ottawa, on January 19, 2024, from 1:30pm to 5pm. Formal remarks will be shared at 2:30pm.

For those who cannot share a drink with us in person, please register to participate virtually at https://v2.forever.link/foveo/robert-j-aldrich.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice.