Obituary of Denis Munro

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Denis Munro peacefully in his sleep at the age of 80 in the early hours of April 8^th at the Hull Hospital. 

Denis Roland Munro was born October 10 1944, the eldest son of Edward Munro and Helene Bilodeau, older brother to Brian, Barry, Gary, Bill, and Parry, and sister Darlene.

Always a hard worker, Denis grew up in Lebreton Flats and left home at an early age to pursue work in the trades. He graduated from Algonquin College as a machinist, and worked for the E.B. Eddy Company before eventually starting a business of his own selling pools and spas with his business partner Harry Morris, and then a courier service operating in the optical industry. He also obtained his real estate license in the 1980s and sold real estate, before joining City of Ottawa where he found his true calling as a Parking Control Officer - the perfect job for him. He always worked extra hours – plowing snow in the evenings and as a self-taught handyman, helping family and friends over the years with everything from carpentry to plumbing and mechanics, and everything in between.

Denis met the love of his life Blanche in Ottawa in the mid-1960s and they married in 1969. They bought their family home in Aylmer QC in the 1970s and formed a new life there; they celebrated the birth of their children Kirk in 1973, and Jennifer in 1977. Aylmer truly became home for he and his family. He played softball and broomball, coached minor hockey, and became very active in the Civitan Club, where as President and Citizen of the Year he was proud of the Club’s fundraising efforts to support charitable organizations such as the Food Bank and the Special Olympics, and he loved the Club’s annual Steak-out dinner and dance. Always the life of the party, he was happiest spending time with family and friends, socializing, dancing, hosting dinners, and playing cards. In later years he became very involved with Aylmer United Church where he attended regularly, loved running fundraising bbqs, and serving community lunches, and helping with repairs.

Denis and family encountered difficult years in the late 2000s; he lost wife Blanche to a rare cancer in 2007 at the young age of 57, and his son Kirk in 2009 at the age of 35. The birth of his grandchildren (Kennedy, in 2009 and Harrison in 2011) brightened his days, however, and he loved taking them to the movies, and watching them grow up and play hockey and football. In recent years he formed a new circle of friends with his partner Doris with whom he shared a special bond.  Together they became very active in the Aylmer Legion and loved their dinners and entertainment evenings, as well as outings with their bowling group. He was an animal lover and loved to talk about his dogs, especially Mindy and Chloe. He also enjoyed following the Ottawa Senators, Redblacks, and Toronto Blue Jays, and never lost his interest in cars.

Unfortunately, starting in 2018 all of the years of hard work started to catch up with him, and he encountered a number of health issues. He suffered a series of strokes in 2024, and after spending a wonderful Christmas dinner with family, he fell ill two days later and entered the hospital on New Year’s Day of this year, suffering from an infection which led to heart and kidney failure.  Denis passed away at the Hull Hospital in the early hours of April 8, in his 81^st year; he did peacefully in his sleep after fighting bravely in the hospital for over three months. He will be forever remembered as a strong, dedicated family man who would do anything to help anyone. He is survived by daughter Jenna, son-in-law Steve Jenkins, adored grandchildren Kennedy and Harrison Jenkins, special partner Doris Erwin, brothers Barry (Judy), Gary, and Perry (Kris) Munro, and sister Darlene Gregory (Ken), and sister-in-law Karen Munro, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents Edward and Helene, wife Blanche, son Kirk, and brothers Brian and Bill.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of 3 West at the Hull Hospital, for the care that they provided him during his stay there.

In Iieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to either the CHEO Foundation or Epilepsy Ottawa. 

Denis’s loss will be felt in many circles throughout Aylmer and Ottawa. We wish we could have fixed you, as you fixed so much for us. Until we meet again.

FIX YOU

By Coldplay

When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try, you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face, and I

Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face, and I

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you