R. I. P. Hugh Riopelle of the Champagne Ave. Riopelles

Ottawa lost one of its favourite sons in Hugh Riopelle (left), shown here with his nephew Mike Arundel of Atlanta, former Ottawa-Nepean Canadians lefty, at an Ottawa Old-Pros golf tournament round table.

September 3, 2022

Hugh Francis (Rip) Riopelle

May 7, 1928-Aug. 30, 2022

Peacefully at the Ottawa Hospital Civic campus, surrounded by love, Hugh (Rip) Riopelle, in his 95th year, moved to join his Lord on August 30, 2022.

Hugh was a loving husband, parent, grandparent, local sports figure, entertainer, and businessman in the Ottawa community. Son of the late Edith and Hugh Alexander Riopelle of Ottawa. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Harold Riopelle of Richmond, Va., and Paddy Riopelle of Ottawa, and his sister Lois Arundel of Kemptville, Ont. He is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Marie (Fuller); his children, Lisa (Steve Estensen) and Heather (David King); and much adored grandchildren, Kyle, Sydney, Michael, and Grace; his sister Joan Farrell of Port Hope, and his brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Jeannine Riopelle of Ottawa; and his many nieces and nephews.

Hugh grew up on Champagne Avenue and was a product of that part of Ottawa centered around Preston Street known as The Village. From an early age, everything for Hugh Jr. was sports, sports and more sports. A standout junior hockey player with St. Pats, he turned pro with the Shawinigan Falls Cataracts in the old Quebec Senior League and went to camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs. After two seasons with the Cataracts, he joined the Quebec Aces for a year before heading to Ottawa to play for the Senators for the 1950-51 season. The following year, he went overseas to play for the Wembley Lions in London before returning to Ottawa for another season with the Senators.

Hugh played three more seasons in the Eastern Hockey League with the New Haven Blades from 1958-61. It was in New Haven that Rip got a taste for entertainment, when he started to do post-game commentary and then play-by-play for the local radio station. Hugh retired from pro hockey in 1967, feeling a full-time job was necessary to pay the bills.

Rip lamented years later that one of his great regrets in life was not playing old-timer’s hockey long enough. He loved the camaraderie and his close association with those involved in the game.

A member of the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club for close to 67 years, Hugh was a three-time club champion, and tied the old course record, along with some guy named Jack Nicklaus. The Hunt remained an important part of Hugh’s life for many years, it being his second home for over half a century.

Hugh worked for Air Canada as the Director of Government Affairs for 20 years. In that role, it was his responsibility to liaise with the Federal Government on matters concerning Air Canada as a crown corporation (basically more golf). During that time, Hugh befriended not only members and ministers of parliament, but also their respective staff. His gift of conversation and easy nature made him a natural antidote for the high-pressure intersection of government and commerce.

He knew everyone, and if you needed something, Hugh had a friend or acquaintance that could take care of you. You could say that Hugh brought the best of the old city of Ottawa to Parliament Hill. He was a staple with the Rideau Club and National Press Club and was a member of Press Club and Allied Workers Jazz band, singing and playing the bones.

Behind all the performances, all the jokes and one-liners, the singing and the banter, there was only one goal in mind for Ripper and that was laughter and joy. The energy he got from making someone else smile was what drove him. It was Hugh’s goal to bring joy and levity to others, to make you feel special and to be a friend. Hugh lived by the axiom that people don’t remember what you told them; they only remember how you made them feel. When all is said and done, this lad from 16 Champagne Avenue in The Village was just that. A kid from the Village. That humility lived within him, and he shared it every day of his life.

Hugh and Marie were married for 56 incredible years, with Marie caring for Hugh down the stretch like only Marie could do. They wintered south for 30 years, the last 20 at St. Pete Beach golfing, dining, fishing, and playing bridge with the Florida crew.

Their best man was Ottawa Journal HOF scribe Eddie MacCabe, who once wrote ‘the Riopelle kids were, perhaps, unusually active, to use the most charitable term I can find and so they got into their fair share of scrapes. Their home was work, sports, music and fun and always a cheery greeting at the door from Mrs. Riopelle.’ And it was Mrs. Riopelle from whom Hugh Jr. took his cue. Her temperament, her humility, love of song and her joy in seeing others at peace.

Hugh’s treatment at the Ottawa Civic campus in the final few weeks was nothing short of exemplary, thanks to all.

Friends may pay their respects from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022 at Kelly Funeral Home - Barrhaven Chapel, 3000 Woodroffe Avenue. A Funeral Mass of Christian Service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 8th, at St. Maurice Parish, 4 Perry Street, Ottawa, at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa are welcome.

May he rest in peace.