Ronald Nicholas Wadden
1930-2026
Ronald Nicholas (Nix) Wadden passed away on Oct. 10th at St. Patrick’s Home in Ottawa at the age of 96.
Born August 22, 1930, in St. John’s Newfoundland to Bridget (Fitzgerald) Wadden and Nicholas Joseph Wadden, Nix attended St. Bonn’s and took courses at Memorial University before receiving his Bachelor of Arts from Saint Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S.
He began his career as a journalist at the Daily News and Harvey’s News Bulletin before founding the VOCM news service, followed by a brief spell at CJON.
After marrying Madeline Roche in 1959 and with the birth of their two children, the family moved to Ottawa, where Nix began his career in the federal civil service, first with Fisheries and later Transport Canada and the Federal Communications Council.
In addition to using his journalism and public relations skills as a volunteer for various organizations, including the Ottawa Folk Festival and the RA Photo Club, Nix began writing three books in his late 70s, an account of his formative years in the Newfoundland press corps in Yesterday’s News (2008); a memoir of his young years in St. John’s in Gower Street (2015); and, in The Waddens, co-authored with his brother Brian Wadden, a genealogical history of his family traced from Ireland to Newfoundland in the 1800s.
Nix is deeply missed by Madeline, his wife of 67 years, daughter Dianne, son Ron and his wife Lee Parpart and their daughter Bridget. Also by Ed Brown, Maureen Pert and Barbara Todd to whom he was a “big brother,” many beloved nieces, nephews cousins and dear friends, especially the family of Bill and Margaret Werthman and neighbours Janet and Marcel Carriere.
He is predeceased by sisters Mary Brown and Helen Carter, brothers Brian and William and by his lifelong best friend Tom Howley.
The family is most grateful for Nix’s care in the General and Civic campuses of the Ottawa Hospital and at St. Patrick’s Home and for the generosity and kind humour of his family physician and fellow Newfoundlander Dr. John Shane O’Neill.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of his Life inviting words of remembrance followed by a reception will be held at the Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa,419 St-Laurent Blvd. On Thursday, November 5th from 1 to 5 pm.
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Sympathy Messages
Ian, Mercy, and I send our deepest condolences to you, your family and extended relatives. Growing up in Chicago, I had heard about Nix and all the Wadden relations from Canada and could tell Nix was held in high esteem. A talented storyteller and photographer and a loving friend to many. Thanks to Nix and your dear dad Brian, we know so much more about our Canadian relations and we are eternally grateful for all the time and effort. God Bless you🙏
May my support warm your heart
- Kate Garland Randolph, on
October 24, 2026
So sorry to hear of the death of Nix Wadden. He was very helpful to me in sorting out our Browne and Kearney connections. I did enjoy his three books-I am grateful he took the time to leave this history behind. So sorry for your loss.
- Brenda Young, on
October 27, 2026
Nix was my boss in the 70’s at Fisheries and Oceans. He was more than a boss; he was a great mentor to a newbie in the journalism profession. He was generous with his time and advice. I remember him fondly as a great mentor.
- Elaine Teske, on
October 28, 2026
My heartfelt condolences on Nix’s passing. I chatted with Nix through e-mail only as we both tried to find a link to his Wadden family from my Cape Breton Wadden family. I delighted in the stories he shared. He will be missed.
- Nancy Wadden O’Quinn, on
October 29, 2026
Condolences Ron and Dianne. Your Dad was a great man, he and your Mom were very kind to me as a friend and teammate of yours on some of those Ottawa South teams. Sorry for your loss.
- Chisholm , on
October 29, 2026
I have known Nix and Mal since I was a little girl living in Glendale, now part of Mount Pearl. My parents were best of friends with the Waddens, and they are like my extended family. I loved them more than I can express.
I can’t even begin to document the memories that I have of this amazing man. There were Saturday drives to Chamberlains because my family was too large to fit in our car, so Nix, Mal and Dianne drove some of the kids, the get togethers in our home along with the Thomases, babysitting a very little Dianne, helping Mal polish her good silver…and the photographs. Oh my goodness, Nix’s photographs. Almost all of our family photographs are courtesy of Nix. Later, as an adult, sitting in their basement in Ottawa watching slides of their many vacations, (and once again of my family) with Ron popping up in the most peculiar places in those slides.
I will miss you Nix, so very much. Thank you for being part of my life and letting me share yours.
To Dianne, and to Ron and your family, I cannot express my condolences adequately enough. I think you know how much your entire family means to me and my family. May God grant you peace and strength at this time. Your dad is flying with the angels.
Rest in Peace Nix.
May my support warm your heart
- Rita Werthmann, on
October 29, 2026
Nix took a chance to hire me at Fisheries when I showed up out of nowhere. That was my start of many years in the department, those working for him being among the best. Hard to find a better boss – humour, friendliness, ability, toughness when needed. A Newfoundland gentleman and a gift to Canada. Marie McCormack and I extend sympathy to family and friends.
Joseph Gough
- Joseph Gough, on
October 29, 2026
I was just 18 when I started working at Fisheries and Oceans. Nix kept an eye on me and guided me throughout my time in Ottawa. He was a calm kind gentleman who I was happy to reconnect with on FB. He will be missed by many. Xxx
- Lise Sevigny, on
October 30, 2026
I met Nix at the RA Photo Cub. He was a good and very interesting friend for many years. I am proud to have known him
- Catherine Kelly, on
November 11, 2026
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