Christopher "Kit" Coleman

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Christopher “Kit” Coleman on Monday, March 23, 2026. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, after a short battle with cancer.

Kit was 85 years old. Beloved husband of Judith Coleman (née Thompson). Loving father of Sandra Graham (Ian Schwartz), Jane Tymoshuk (John Tymoshuk), Shirley Coleman (Merrell Philippi), and John Coleman (Alexandra Coleman). Cherished grandfather of James, Scott, Colin, Samuel, Kristen, Kathryn, Michael, and Mackenzie, and proud great-grandfather of Stanley and Amelia. He is also survived by his sister Gillian Booth and her husband Richard of England.

Kit was born in Wylam, England, where he met the love of his life, Judith, at her sister’s 21st birthday party. They married in 1962 and emigrated to Canada in 1965 with their two young daughters so Kit could begin what became a distinguished 35-year career at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) at Chalk River Laboratories.

Outside of his professional life, Kit was an avid outdoorsman who loved canoeing, fishing, cross-country skiing and hiking, and he embraced everything the Ottawa Valley had to offer. He was deeply involved in the Deep River community, playing the double bass in the Deep River Symphony Orchestra (DRSO), volunteering with the Deep River Running Club, the Scuba Club, and the Deep River CANDU Swim Club.

A lifelong athlete, Kit was an accomplished runner. As a young man he competed as a world-class steeplechaser, and later in life he completed many marathons, reflecting the determination, humility, and quiet discipline that defined him.

We greatly appreciate and thank all those that provided care and support while he was at the Ottawa Hospital, General Campus, and at home with excellent care from Dr. Quenneville and the Bayshore Palliative Care Team thru Ontario Health at Home.

Respecting Kit’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 18th at 12:30 pm, 6 Ryans Camp Lane, Pt. Alexander. In memory of Kit, donations to the DRSO would be gratefully appreciated.

Donations to the Deep River Symphony Orchestra in Kit's memory may be made:

● By Etransfer to the DRSO's email address: drsoemail@gmail.com. Please include contact info so that a tax receipt can be issued to the donor.

● Through Canada Helps (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/). Searches on the Canada Helps website for DRSO, Deep River Symphony or Deep River Instrumental Music will all come to our organization. Canada Helps will issue tax receipts for the donations routed through their website.

● By cheque made out to the DRSO and mailed to the DRSO, PO Box 1496, Deep River, ON K0J 1P0.

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