WEST CARLETON – West Carleton war hero, former township mayor and well-known veterinarian Dr. Roland ‘Roly’ Armitage is one of 16 Ottawa residents to be inducted in to the Order of Ottawa Nov. 21.

Mayor Jim Watson announced the 16 residents who will be inducted into the Order of Ottawa this year earlier today (Nov. 15), as well as the 2019 recipient of the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching.

“The 2019 Order of Ottawa inductees are a group of tremendously accomplished residents who have made a positive impact on our city through their professional achievements and philanthropic endeavours,” Mayor Jim Watson released in a statement. “Their leadership, creativity and hard work serve as an inspiration for us all.”

A decorated Second World War veteran, Armitage was a member of the Royal Canadian Artillery, serving on the Western Front of the European Theatre. Following the war, he obtained Veterinary Medicine and Doctor of Veterinary Surgeon degrees from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. As a veterinarian, Dr. Armitage specialized in and cared for thousands of horses.

A leader in both local and national horseracing, Armitage served as president of the Canadian Trotting Association from 1976 to 1981, and then as general manager of the Rideau-Carleton Raceway from 1981 to 1991. He served as mayor of the Township of West Carleton before amalgamation with the City of Ottawa and as a member of the Council of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton from 1991 to 1994. He was the general manager of the Carp Airport for 10 years. He is a published author, having written a trilogy of autobiographical books about his life as a proud Canadian, a heroic war veteran and a dedicated veterinarian.

A strong community-builder, Dr. Armitage contributed to the development of the Carp Farmers’ Market and creation of various shops, a café and a state-of-the-art retirement residence in the centre of the village of Carp. In 2011, Dr. Armitage joined a West Carleton War Memorial Project committee, successfully developing a Carp Cenotaph to honour residents of West Carleton-March who died during the First World War and the Second World War.

Dr. Armitage is an inductee of the Canada Horse Racing Hall of Fame and the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame. In 2007, the Carp Airport terminal was renamed the Roly Armitage Terminal after its former general manager. In 2011, a hall in the West Carleton Community Complex was named the Dr. Roland Armitage Hall in commemoration of his outstanding service and achievements.

This year’s ceremony will take place at City Hall on Thursday, Nov. 21.

Mayor Watson will induct 15 people into the Order of Ottawa for 2019, including Anand S. Aggarwal, Dr. Roland Armitage, Claude Bennett, Katherine Cooligan, Kathleen Edwards, Lisa Hébert, Marc LeBoutillier, Jean-Michel Lemieux, Gwen Madiba M. Latulippe, Madeleine Meilleur, Hindia Mohamoud, Bernard A. Poulin, L.A. (Sandy) Smallwood, Kenneth Tammadge and Chef Ric Watson.

Inderpreet Singh was selected as a 2018 recipient but was unable to attend last year’s event, so he will be honoured at the 2019 ceremony.

The mayor will also present Victor F. Tedondo with the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching, a city award that recognizes the contribution of an amateur coach who best exemplifies the qualities of leadership and commitment.

The Order of Ottawa recognizes exceptional residents who have made significant, professional contributions to city life in the areas of arts and culture, business, community service, education, public service, labour, communications and media, science, medicine, sports and entertainment, or other fields that benefit the residents of Ottawa.

Mayor Watson and City Council established this prestigious civic award in 2012. Recipients are chosen by a selection committee comprised of the mayor, city clerk, chief of police, chief of protocol, city archivist and chief executive officer of the Ottawa Public Library.

For more information regarding the Order of Ottawa, please visit the Awards and Recognition page on ottawa.ca.