The Life and Times of Hubert Brooks M.C. C.D.
A Canadian Hero
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I joined the Université d’Ottawa as an Administrative Officer in Auxiliary Services (a precursor to Student Services) in 1971. I was later appointed the 1st Director of Housing in 1976.
Leading up to my push to get a proper student residence built to serve the student population, there was considerable back and forth with City Hall to demolish a number of shacks that the students, by default, were living in.
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Ken Clavette's December 1,2024 article Ken’s Bygone Sandy Hill >>>>>>>>>>> link: http://home.imagesandyhill.org/2024/12/kens-bygone-sandy-hill-10/ ............... discussing why the Ottawa U student Residence was named after Hubert Brooks had a few additional comments on Brooks' impact on the Sandy Hill neighborhood.
Over the past 37 years I have, from time to time, wondered who this “Brooks” was? That curiosity increased since the buildings have been shuttered and unoccupied for the past 5 years.
It was easy enough to learn that the complex was named after Hubert Brooks, the first full-time Director of Housing Services for the university. Quite an honour for an employee of the university I thought. There must be more to the story, and there was.
Mr. Brooks was an innovator in housing development in Sandy Hill. He was a key driver of turning over neglected and costly houses the university had acquired on King Edward and Henderson Avenues to the Sandy Hill Housing Co-op. The co-op brought 100 new residents into our community in 1984; they were great neighbours. But his larger plan was to use the lease of university land to this not-for-profit housing group to help fund the complex that came to bear his name.
Again, quite an honour but there had to be more to the man. My research gave me an amazing story to tell.Editor: A summary of Hubert Brooks life follows in Ken's article.
That’s who Hubert Brooks was, and why in 1988 his name was given to a uOttawa residence. A war hero, Olympic champion, and a man who helped build community and student housing in Sandy Hill. As the university ruminates over the future of the Brooks Complex the residence remains shuttered. The housing Co-op he helped settle here has been given notice of eviction.
On June 16, 2023, the Brooks family were on hand when the plaque that was once associated with the residence was moved to the foyer of a newer, more modern residence (called “90u”). Instead of a building, there is now a Hubert Brooks Foyer.
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The front page of the 18–April–1978 Ottawa Citizen had the following article
Ref: 17.4 that illustrates one of the different problems we were facing and one certainly I never would have encountered in the Forces!
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And of course there were battles constantly being fought to provide the students with quality lodging while keeping the cost affordable.
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After retirement from the Forces I continued to spend a good deal of time supporting the efforts of the RAFES – Royal Air Force Escaping Society – either speaking at engagements or participating in hosting of surviving helpers from countries in Europe.
The goals of RAFES were to:
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The 1974 Canada Elections List for the Ontario District of Ottawa-Carleton included the Brooks' at their long time home on Welland Street -- as well as their immediate neighbors
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The Life and Times of Hubert Brooks M.C. C.D.
