Francois BREGHA

1952 - 2022

FRANÇOIS BREGHA June 10, 1952 - July 14, 2022 François Bregha, a friend to many, died peacefully at his Sandy Hill home in Ottawa on July 14, following two years living with relentless ALS. After a childhood spent abroad, François completed degrees at U of T and York before moving to Ottawa. He was fortunate to meet a group of like-minded individuals there with whom he skied, bicycled, hiked, travelled, played hockey, paddled and partied for almost fifty years. They remained faithful companions to the end. His varied career included advocacy work with environmental groups, policy analysis with government departments, and consultation with many companies and groups about sustainable development goals, strategies and practices. He published a book, Bob Blair's Pipeline, and served on several NGO boards. He co-founded two successful consultation firms, RFI and Stratos. A firm believer in moderation in all things, François thought carefully about environment and heritage. He followed politics and international affairs with a keen eye and despaired at the growing extremism and intolerance evident recently throughout the world. François was a remarkable member of his community, serving on the board of local community and heritage associations, intervening in certain development disputes, leading walking tours, and creating the popular Sandy Hill Stories blog for Action Sandy Hill. Weakened by ALS and sheltering from COVID, François saw two rich and surprisingly happy years after the diagnosis. Countless friendly visits and notes, Meal Train and other food gifts, online conversations, books, newscasts and webinars filled his days. He was never depressed. François is survived by his wife, Jane Waterston; sons, François and Daniel; and daughter-in-law, Abby Menendez. The loss is keenly felt by his sister, Sylvia Bregha-Morris (John Morris); cousin, Patricia Perron; Waterston in-laws, Elizabeth, Daniel (Jennifer), Christy (Tom Beaver), Charlotte (Rob Turner) and Rosemary (Phil King); and many cousins. For outstanding care received through our public health system, the family thanks the Champlain LHIN; Bayshore Home Health; OT Jason Thorne; doctors Ari Breiner, Doug McKim, Usha Buenger and colleagues at the ALS Clinic, Tilak Mendis, Cindy Wang, Alan Chaput and Jill Cotter. Extra support came from Anne Meehan, Trish Carson and ALS Canada. If you wish to donate to a group François regularly supported, please consider ALS Canada, David Suzuki Foundation and Ecojustice Canada. A celebration of life will take place at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa on September 14 at 11:30 a.m.