In Loving Memory
Dan Roodman
Daniel Roodman, born July 13th 1948 in Kirkland Lake Ontario, passed away peacefully at his home in Ottawa Ontario on March 20th 2021, at the age of 72.
Dan is survived by his daughters Victoria and Alex, his sister Barbara (Sherman), his former wife Kyla (Carson), and his sister-in-law Anita. He was predeceased by his brother Michael.
His family, friends, and colleagues enjoyed his quick wit and dry humour. Dan loved fine dining, the arts, and all movies (good and bad). During his 35 years of Civil Service in the Department of National Defence, he was particularly known for his mentoring and leadership.
His family is grateful to his friend Jack Cruickshank for his compassionate friendship, as well as to the caring and dedicated oncology team at the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Center and community healthcare workers.
Online Celebration of Life
Saturday, April 10
2:00 PM Eastern
Please join us for a celebration of Dan’s life. Information on how to join the ceremony is below.
There will be a moment during the service to light a candle for Dan. Please have ready a candle to light and a glass of your choice of beverage for a toast.
Before the day of the ceremony
1. Please register to attend the ceremony by clicking the button below.
2. If you do not already have Zoom, please download the application below.
On the day of the ceremony
Please refer to your registration email for instructions on joining the ceremony. Feel free to email support@lightenarrangements.com if you need help.
Guestbook
Please join us in celebrating Dan’s life by sharing your stories and memories of him.
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Donations
Those who wish to make a donation in Dan’s memory are encouraged to do so at the Ottawa Mission.
There could not be a better setting for Dan’s photo than this one at Signatures Bistro. A perfect memory for all who shared a meal with him there. He will be missed.
I took that photo of Dan using his phone at Signatures on New Year’s Eve 2017 when Cheryl, Dan and I had dinner together. He looked very dapper that evening (as was his norm). Jack, you were a great friend to Dan. He sure will be missed.
I’m so sorry ( and quite late) to read this. I was the waiter who brought you boys your yellow snow martinis and definitely no cilantro in anything he ate.
Rest in peace.
Dan and I were married for 12 years and remained good co-parents to our daughters, Victoria and Alex. I married Dan because he made me laugh every day. His intelligence and wit always provided lively companionship. Dan always had several books on the go on various topics. He was an excellent partner at Trivial Pursuit because he seemed to know a little bit about everything. I knew several people who worked for him at DND and his staff adored him. He was a very fair boss who promoted his female colleagues at every opportunity. I will remember Dan as a very interesting man who although soft-spoken, always had an interesting perspective to offer.
I offer my Sympathy to Kyla and her daughters and the rest of the family. May he Rest in Peace. J.L.
Dan was one of my first managers when I entered the public service and also the most influential in many aspects of my career. He quickly took me under his wing and was a great mentor even when I didn’t report to him. He quickly went from being a mentor to a friend. His ability to say things like they are without beating around the bush was a breath of fresh air in a world where this was, and still is, very rare. His years of friendship and mentorship are a large part of why I am where I am in my career within the PS. So much so that I model my management style after his, making sure to lead by example, mentor, guide and support at every opportunity I can. I will forever be grateful to Dan. You shall be missed my friend.
I was honoured to know Dan throughout my career at DND. He was so kind to all of us who sought his guidance, always teaching grace as well as sharing knowledge. He will be remembered with great fondness by many. My sincere condolences to all who loved him.
I had the pleasure of working with Dan for a short time and I will always remember his common sense approach when solving problems and his quick wit. Pair with Mr Larsen, Mr Roodman and Mr Larsen we’re a formidable pair. RIP Dan and thanks for the fun!
I had the good fortune of having Dan working for me in procurement in DND for a number of years. In those years my wife Susan and I also enjoyed socializing with Dan, his wife Kyla and their daughters Victoria and Alexandra. We enjoyed it all. Their children meant so much to them both and it was plain for all to see. When we weren’t working directly together, Dan and I kept in touch, frequently enjoying a Chinese Buffet lunch together. I cannot remember the number of times Dan shared Christmas dinner with us at our home. His wit and sense of humor was constant. After my retirement we kept in touch through calls and emails. I also loved reading his Facebook page for his latest humor gems. Our lives are not going to be as much fun without Dan being around. Many thanks to Jack Cruikshank for giving so much support to Dan when I could not.
Dan Roodman was my best friend from high school (Lisgar Collegiate). We hung around and had various classes together. I always sat with Dan during lunch. We had crazy routines which included nutty award presentations for anything and everything. On Fridays after school, he would always walk me part way to the Y where I went to work out. Our conversation was always the same…”where are you going?…I’m headed to the Y…Why are you going to the Y…I’m not sure why…Then why bother?..” and on and on. I remember when we spent New Year’s eve going to a movie and then back home to his parents. His mom baked us a fabulous pie which we had with ice cream. Dan tried to teach me chess. We ended up playing checkers, because he wanted me to have a chance to perhaps win a game.
When I was at Carleton University I met my girlfriend (Brenda Sugarman) whom I eventually married. I found Brenda to be a fun person who I wanted to be with, share lunch with, and joke with. I referred to her as my “new Danny Roodman.” I was excited to introduce her to Danny. Dan was an usher at our wedding in 1971.
Marriage, career, and life sent us in different paths. I talked with Dan’s older brother Mike fairly frequently. I used to check up on Dan and asked Mike to say hi for me.
Brenda and I had the lucky honour of sitting with Dan for a late lunch at Bazille, the restaurant at Nordstrom’s, on my birthday a few years ago. It was fun catching up. We stayed in touch with occasional emails. I last emailed Dan during 2020 to ask how he had been coping during the pandemic. In typical Dan fashion he responded
…I have been using Instacart to order groceries for more than a year. They used to deliver on the same day. I ordered groceries early last week and they are scheduled to arrive on Thursday. As a result, I am off to Loblaws this morning. While there, I will try not to inhale.
Dan graduated from Talmud Torah school in the same class as Saul Rubinek. I always wonder if Saul learned part of his acting abilities from Dan’s sense of timing, and that twinkle in his eye that went along with the delivery of his excellent dry wit.
My condolences to Victoria and Alex, his sister Barbara Sherman, and all those who are feeling this loss. Dan was a wise, considerate gentleman and a gentle man. He will be missed.
May Dan’s memory always be for a blessing.
With love and a heavy heart
Stephen Saslove
Dan and I were first cousins, so our history goes back a very long way, to early childhood on Osgoode St. when he was still Danny. I remember escorting him to kindergarten; after all, I was two years older. As happens far too often, life led us in different directions and we didn’t see much of each other over the intervening years. I do recall catching up a few years back and how proudly Dan spoke of his daughters. I shall treasure the memories of those early days and am gratified to see the heartfelt tributes to him. May his memory be a blessing. RIP.
I worked with Dan for some time at National Defence and we became personal friends for many years. We shared meals, wine and laughter and I was fortunate enough to come to know Kyla and his lovely daughters Alexandra and Victoria. Although i had not seen Dan for many years I have never forgotten him. Dan was one of the wittiest and well spoken people I have ever known. He had such a unique perspective on everything and although I cannot recall any of his funny remarks, the memory of times spent with Dan make me smile.