Orléans lost another true pillar of the community last week with the passing of long-time Queenswood Heights resident Al Tweddle. After a spirited battle with gall bladder cancer, he passed away at home on Monday, May 1, surrounded by his family.

Al, along with his late wife Helen, who passed away in 2018, were two of the earliest movers and shakers in Queenswood Heights.

Raised in Toronto, Al and Helen moved to Ottawa in 1961 where they dedicated their lives to raising their five kids and building the community around them.

As one of the first residents in Queenswood Heights, Al played a pivotal role in shaping the neighbourhood and helped create a number of local parks, including Racine and Kinsella Park. He was instrumental in expanding the number of outdoor rinks in the community and helped maintain different rinks for more than 50 years. He was also instrumental in building the Queenswood tennis courts.

Perhaps Al will best be remembered for his work with the Friends of Petrie Island. He was a founding member and volunteered hundreds of hours of his time to the organization which is responsible for creating the many nature trails on the island.

Over the years, Al received a number of honours including the Mayor’s City Builder
Award and the road that runs between Hwy. 174 and Petrie Island was named in his
honour in 2021. The picnic area near the west beach was also named after him.
While Al could often be found maintaining any one of Queenswood Heights’ outdoor rinks during the winter, he could just as often be found manning the Friends of Petrie
Island interpretation centre during the rest of the year.

For over 50 years, Al was a tireless worker and a dedicated volunteer who was deeply proud of his community.

Al will be lovingly remembered by his sister Barb, his children Steve, Debbie, Sue, Mark and Terrie, their spouses, his three grandchildren and his great-granddaughter Aurora.