Obituary of Neal Jotham

JOTHAM, Neal Raymond O.Ont

With sadness the family announces that Neal passed away peacefully at the Ottawa Civic Hospital on Thursday evening, February 2, 2023 at the age of 88 years.

Dear Father of Susan Feir and Philip Jotham (Carol Park).  Special Grandpa of Greg and Emma Feir and Davin Jotham-Park. 

 Loved brother of Jim Jotham (late Mildred), Marg Husband (Donald) and Beth Hawkes (late Arthur).  Predeceased by his sister Merle Burrows (Doug). Son of the late William and Naomi (nee Burcombe) Jotham. 

Neal grew up in Guelph Ontario and as a young fellow had a paper route, was a delivery boy, a sales clerk in a shoe store, and a construction worker.  

After graduating from Ryerson, Neal began his career in Toronto as an Architectural Technologist and Civil Engineering Draftsman, responsible for working drawings relative to construction of low and high-rise buildings involving glass and aluminium as well as new product design.  

Neal was the Founding Director of the Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario.

Neal became involved in many voluntary activities which eventually changed the direction of his career.  He served as the Director and subsequently Vice President Administration of the Canadian Association for Humane Trapping and later as the Executive Director of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies serving on many committees.

Neal will be remembered as a renowned animal welfare advocate.  He worked tirelessly to improve the lives of millions of animals in many animal-use industries across Canada and worldwide.  A driving force within the International Organization for Standardization, Neal greatly advanced the science and protocols needed to establish an international agreement on humane trapping standards.  

Neal was appointed in 2018 to the Order of Ontario for his life’s work.

Neal was an avid and talented watercolour painter of landscapes and nature.    

His other interests included design, philosophy and music.  

Neal loved exploring in nature, and every December he would hike in the Gatineau Hills, on the hunt for the perfect-sized fallen birch branch, that would serve as his unique version of an indoor Christmas tree to be decked out with lights and ornaments. 

Neal always had a good sense of humor and was a good sport.  He enjoyed a good joke and could tell a witty story.  His good humour extended to writing fun and fitting limericks for the grandkids on special occasions.

He had the privilege of travelling extensively for both his volunteer work and pleasure - throughout Canada, Brussels, England and Costa Rica to name a few. 

Neal’s care and arrangements have been entrusted to the

Pilon Family Funeral Home and Chapel Ltd., 50 John Street North, Arnprior. 

A Tribute to his life was held on Sunday April 2, 2023 at 11:30a.m. in the Pilon Family Chapel.   

Visitation to begin at 10:30.

If you wish to make a donation in Neal’s memory, please consider the Canadian Association for Humane Trapping, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.