Bernel Leroy Hanley

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bernel Leroy Hanley in Ottawa, Canada.

He was predeceased by his wife, Catherine Sandiford; his mother, Albertha Boddie; his father, Samuel Hanley; and his sister, Muriel Boddie. He is survived by his daughter, Danielle Hanley; his brothers, Grenville ‘Lewis’ Boddie, Randolph ‘Jet’ Boddie, Ridney ‘Scott’ Tross, and Marcel Hanley; his sister, Lorraine Archibald; as well as his nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends in Canada and the Caribbean.

Bernel, known as ‘Sill’ to his friends and family in the Caribbean, grew up on the island of Nevis, of Saint Kitts and Nevis. He worked as a ship engineer on the schooner Polynesia, sailing through the West Indies. It was aboard that ship that he met his future wife Cathy, which brought him to Canada, where they married and raised their daughter.

In Canada, Bernel worked for many years as an auto mechanic and had a passion for science—particularly aviation and automotive engineering. He enjoyed time with friends, gardening, staying active, and relaxing at home with his cat Athena. A lifelong lover of reggae and calypso, he maintained a deep connection to the Caribbean, and travelled home at every opportunity. He often said that his greatest achievement was being a father.

In his final act of generosity, Bernel donated his body to the University of Ottawa to support medical research.

A celebration of Bernel’s life will be held at Tubman Funeral Homes, Garden Chapel, 3440 Richmond Road, Nepean (between Bayshore & Baseline Rd.) on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., with words of remembrance at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, his family have requested donations be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, a non-profit which helps Canadians through research, health promotion and advocacy for those affected by heart disease and stroke.