Desmond Louis Dubroy was born in Ottawa on October 7, 1913 son of Desmond Louis Dubroy and Mary Bridget Carrigan and joined the Ottawa Fire Department July 1, 1940 as a temporary fireman. His job was made permanent June 16, 1944 He was married to the former Marjorie Wood. He left behind his one son, Desmond Joseph, (who had just been on the Ottawa Fire Department for 16 months) and three daughters, Donna Marie, Dorothy Ann and Deborah Lynn.

Des was promoted a Lieutenant and had acted in that capacity for six years at Number 9 Fire Hall on Pretoria Avenue in the Glebe area of Ottawa. On Wednesday April 1, 1959 Lieutenant Dubroy answered a call and on the return to station had complained that he was not feeling well and did not accompany his rigs as they rushed to answer another call, a false alarm on James Street shortly after 3 p.m. District Chief Florien Dinelle came over to escort Lieutenant Dubroy to the hospital but Des Dubroy stubbornly insisted that he be taken home where he died in the arms of his wife. He was taken to hospital by the fire department emergency car and was pronounced dead on arrival by Coroner Dr. Thomas Kendall. Lieutenant Dubroy’s death was ruled a line of duty death by the Workmans’ Compensation Board. His wife Marjorie was the recipient of a W.C.B. pension

His was the first Fire Department funeral organized by the Kelly Funeral Home. Lorne Kelly who has organized many such funerals since always maintained that this funeral helped make his business. Following the funeral of Desmond Dubroy on Saturday, April 4th, 1959, the executive of the Ottawa Fire Fighters Association met with Lorne and asked that he review and research areas within which they could develop protocols for Fire Service funerals. Lorne Kelly received an honorary membership by the Ottawa Fire Fighters Association.

Des was very active in sports as a softball and football player. He was a very well known catcher for many years. A quote from the Ottawa Sports Book by Jim McCauley “1938 Eastern Ontario Champion “Firefighters” team which included one of the best catchers produced in Ottawa Des Dubroy,” He also played with the Gladstone’s and the famous Galla Bakery and other Ottawa Senior City teams. He caught for goalie great Bill Durnan of the Montreal Canadians and many other outstanding pitchers of the era. Desmond Dubroy was a very popular member of the Ottawa Fire Department and his early passing shocked many.

An interesting sidebar to this story is that Lieutenant Desmond Louis Dubroy was the second Desmond Louis Dubroy to die while working in the City of Ottawa Des’ father Louis died while working on the canal as a carter a cable snapped and his horse fell on top of him killing him instantly.