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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
BRODEUR, Nigel David - passed away peacefully at the Victoria General Hospital on March 30th, 2026, in his 94th year with family by his side.
Nigel was born in Victoria, BC, on 18 June 1932 to Victor Gabriel Brodeur (d. 1976) and Doris (nee Fages) (d. 1936). He entered the Canadian Services College Royal Roads in 1950, joining the RCN upon graduation as a midshipman in 1952. He served in the cruiser Ontario and then the carrier Magnificent, before completing his sub-lieutenant courses in England, where he and Anne were married in Greenwich in 1954. On returning to Canada, he spent the latter half of the 1950s serving in a variety of junior officer positions in the Prestonian-class frigates HMC Ships Sussexvale and Beacon Hill.
Nigel next attended the Second Weapons Officers’ Course in Halifax in 1960 and thereafter served as the Weapons Officer in HMCS Kootenay at sea during the Cuban Missile Crisis of October-November 1962. Following a four-year stint ashore in Halifax, first in the Fleet School and then in Maritime Command Headquarters, in December 1966 he assumed command of HMCS Terra Nova. He was promoted Captain(N) in 1972 to be Commandant of the Maritime Warfare School in Halifax. His next (and ultimately final) sea-going appointment was as Commander of the Halifax-based Fifth Canadian Destroyer Squadron (1974-76).
After attending the National Defence College in Kingston in 1976 he went to Ottawa as Director of Maritime Requirements (Sea) where he oversaw drafting of the statement of requirements for what would become the Canadian Patrol Frigate. He remained a major influencer of that project when promoted Commodore in 1978 to be Director General Maritime Doctrine and Operations, and then Rear Admiral in 1980 to be Chief Maritime Doctrine and Operations at NDHQ in Ottawa.
Nigel relocated to Norfolk Virginia in 1982 to serve as Deputy Chief-of-Staff Operations, Reinforcement and Resupply to NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, and (concurrently) as Chief of Staff to NATO’s Commander-in-Chief Western Atlantic. Upon returning to Ottawa, he was promoted to Vice-Admiral (CF) in 1985. He served as Deputy Chief of Defence Staff at National Defence Headquarters from 1985 to 1987.
Upon retiring in 1987 after years of long-standing service and dedication to the Navy, Nigel and Anne moved to Victoria in 1988, where Nigel remained a major force for the promotion of a strong Canadian military, as co-director of the now-defunct Defence Associations National Network (DANN, 1988-2006), and a prolific author of articles and presentations to various naval and military periodicals. Nigel was also involved with many organizations and charities. He was a Co-founder of the Admirals’ Medal Foundation, Director of the Battle of Normandy Foundation, Former Director of the Conference of Defence Associates Institute, Member of Naval Officers Association of both Vancouver Island and Canada, and numerous other organizations to which he devoted his time and efforts. He was also made an Honourary Member of the Canadian Society for Senior Engineers, an achievement of which he was extremely proud.
Nigel and Anne travelled extensively upon his retirement to many countries. They enjoyed boating, fishing, gardening, golfing and entertaining Naval friends. They were active members with their parish and devoted their time and efforts to its causes.
The family is grateful to the emergency department and staff at VGH for their compassion and care of Nigel. The family is also grateful to the many loyal friends that Nigel had.
He is predeceased by his beloved wife Elizabeth (Anne) in 2023, his son David (1957) and his son-in-law Donald Messervey (2019). Nigel is survived by his daughters Carol Messervey, Louise Brodeur, Phyllis Brodeur (Walter Ioan), his grandchildren Lauren (Mark), David (Caitlin), Erika (Alexander) and his great-grandchildren Ripley, Spencer, Avery and Olivia.
A funeral service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 4040 Nelthorpe Street in Victoria on Tuesday May 12th at 11:00am.
Information for online viewing will be available on the Sacred Heart website: SacredHeartVictoria.com. We invite you to donate to a charity of your choice in his memory and to consider a donation to Broadmead Care. (Dignity Memorial)
Ships
served in: (source: CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum)
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