Obituary of Marcel P. Brochu

Marcel Paul Brochu passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 7, 2021, at the age of 84.  The only child of Emile N. Brochu and Lina Cote, Marcel was born in Willimantic, CT. He leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Norah Brochu (O’Leary); his children Diane (Paul), Carol (Wayne), Lynn (Robin), Lisa (Steve), and stepchildren, Christine (Brian), Susan (Hein) and David (Jacqueline); his grandchildren the late Mandy, Dawn (Ryan), Jeremy (Nikki), Evan, Aimee, Emily (Josh), Robert, Michael, Brigitte, Sophie and MacKenzie and great grandchildren Mylee, John and Liam. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Rita Boucher.

He was raised in a French-Canadian culture in an American background.  Before moving to Canada in 1970, Marcel loved to make wine from the grapes he grew in the backyard arbour, he loved going to the ocean to dig up clams, took the girls on “mystery rides” and loved to go to Rocky Point, RI for clam chowder and fritters. From the time his girls could hold cards, he taught them the family game of Pitch, which they passed along to their kids. He created the Pitch trophy so there was always an excuse to get together, play cards and trade bragging rights. He loved Colonnade Pizza and every time he came back to Ottawa to visit, the whole family would gather at Colonnade for a family dinner.  Dad also loved jazz music and theater and spent many years at the OLT.

He had a never-ending sense of adventure and travelled with his wife, making it to all corners of the world! He once co-owned a racehorse and loved to send us updates. His love of Fritos was a long-standing family joke! In his later years, he welcomed two fur babies, Perri and Pearl, his beloved little dogs.

Dad will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Memorial donations would be appreciated to the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health (ccsmh.ca) or The Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest Centre (baycrest.org).  Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.  Arrangements under the direction of the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (1-800-616-3311).