Brian Locking

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Brian Harold Locking on Sunday, April 19, 2026. He passed away peacefully at the age of 61, surrounded by his family, at the Ottawa General Hospital. For the past 18 years, Brian faced multiple complex health illnesses and challenges, often surpassing doctors’ expectations and prognoses, a true testament to his resilience and remarkable will to live.

Brian will be lovingly remembered by his spouse, Ruth Locking (née Wright), and his children, Matthew and Abigail, as well as his loyal four-legged companion, Gibson. He is also fondly remembered by his sister, Linda Scott of Cobourg, who will forever hold a special place in her heart for her little brother. Brian will be deeply missed by the Wright family, including his mother-in-law, Christine Wright; his sister-in-law, Jane; and his brothers-in-law, John (Elaine) and David. He also leaves behind his nephews, John Brandon (Alysa), Andrew of St. Catharines, and Duncan of Toronto, as well as his niece, Justine. Brian was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Rachelle Locking (née Lafrance) of North Bay, and his father-in-law, John Wright.

Brian was born in 1965 in North Bay, Ontario. From an early age, he had a love for the outdoors, enjoying family camping trips during the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. Brian also participated in several canoe trips in the North Bay area as a member of his high school Outer’s Club. He frequently recounted these challenging yet memorable adventures throughout his adult life.

In his teenage years, Brian developed a deep passion for music, starting with The Beatles and later branching out into a wide range of artists. As his musical knowledge grew, so did his desire to play the songs he loved. He purchased his first guitar and taught himself how to play. His love of music flourished through an ever-expanding guitar collection, as well as writing and recording his own songs. Brian shared his love of music with his children, encouraging them to sing and play the guitar, and taking them to countless concerts over the years.

Brian caught the travel bug early in life when his parents took him and his sister on cross Canada and United States road trips. He later travelled extensively, visiting Eastern and Western Europe, the British Isles, and warmer destinations such as Bermuda, Jamaica, Aruba, and the Dominican Republic.

Brian valued academia and excelled in both the sciences and the humanities. He took great pride in earning a science degree from the University of Waterloo in 1988, followed by a history degree from the same institution in 1994, for which he was named to the Dean’s Honour List. Brian’s studies in history led to a lifelong passion for historical events, often

inspiring spirited and engaging discussions. He especially loved immersing himself in expansive history books and detailed documentaries.

In 1988, Brian moved to Ottawa as a recent graduate and began his first full time job at Xerox. He later joined Nortel (AMG Logistics), where he led the implementation of ISO 2000, a quality management system, an achievement he was very proud of. Brian then went on to a career with the Federal Government at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada as a Senior Policy Analyst, earning several accolades before having to retire due to medical reasons.

In the later years of his life, Brian focused on spending time with his family, creating lasting memories and sharing meaningful experiences. These included a two-week trip to Aruba, travelling to Prince Edward Island, exploring Washington, D.C., and Boston, and visiting New York City, where he especially enjoyed attending multiple Broadway shows with his family. Last summer, he travelled to Vancouver, visiting the Sunshine Coast and going whale watching.

Brian’s greatest pride and joy were his children, Matthew and Abbey. He was immensely proud of them and was a constant source of support and encouragement in their interests, dreams and passions, including acting, musical theatre, and science. Brian provided Matthew with incredible support with completing a dissertation at Atlantic Technological University in Ireland, regardless of his own health challenges. He also spent countless hours helping Abbey with her homework, both at home and in the hospital. Brian was a wonderful listener and fiercely protective of his children’s needs.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Brian’s medical team at the Ottawa Hospital over the past 18 years, including the Hematology Department, the Cancer Centre, the Intensive Care Unit, the Nephrology Department, and the Hemodialysis Unit. There are so many exceptional doctors and nurses who went above and beyond for Brian, and for that, we will be forever grateful.

Please join us for a Memorial Gathering on May 23, 2026, from 1-4 p.m. to celebrate and honour Brian’s life at the Tubman Funeral Homes Garden Chapel location, 3440 Richmond Road, (between Bayshore & Baseline Rd.)Nepean, ON. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Kidney Foundation, to the Canadian Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.