City names Stittsville street after late Roger Griffiths

The City of Ottawa is renaming a street in Stittsville after a a Second World War veteran who also lived in the ward. 

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson hosted a commemorative naming  held a ceremony at Ottawa City Hall on Monday, Nov. 7 and revealed longtime Stittsville resident Roger Griffiths is being honoured through the City's Veterans' Commemorative Street Naming Program. 

Arthur Roger Griffiths (always known as Roger) joined the Royal Canadian Armed Forces in August 1942 in Montreal with service in Lachine, Victoriaville, Moncton, Arnprior, Trenton, Cartierville and Borden. He served the duration of World War II with no overseas service. He was an instructor and trained Commonwealth pilots at CFB Uplands and the Carp Airport. Griffiths, who died in 1988 at the age of 73, was commissioned to flying officer in October 1943 and discharged in October 1945.

Griffiths was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and War Medal 1939-1945, as well as the General Service Badge and Royal Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Badge.

He was a longtime resident of Stittsville, serving as councillor for the Township of Goulbourn from 1977 to 1978 and again from 1982 to 1988 until he died 1988. Mr. Griffiths also served as president of the Stittsville Royal Canadian Legion branch for five terms, served on almost all committees and played a significant role in the erection of the Stittsville cenotaph. For his many years of involvement, Mr. Griffiths was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Legion’s highest honour.

The street blade for Roger Griffiths Avenue, located in the Richcraft Homes Mapleton subdivision in Stittsville, now features the Poppy symbol, the universal sign of remembrance. This was made possible through the City’s Veterans Commemorative Street Naming program, a partnership with the City, Veterans Affairs Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion.