Growing up, the only thing Gord Cudney ever heard about his absentee father was that he was charismatic and a gifted athlete.

“And as my mom, in her very unique and euphemistic way, would say, ‘But he had a bit of a drinking problem’,” added Cudney.

By adulthood, Cudney learned that the situation was far more complicated. “You see, my father was a serious alcoholic, and had come from generations of serious alcoholics. My mother experienced all of that ugliness that this entails: the abuse, harassment, unkept promises — all of it.”

Pregnant with Cudney and with a three-year-old daughter, his mother decided to take the kids and return to Ottawa, leaving the family home near Toronto. “I can only imagine how lonely she would have been,” added Cudney. But life wasn’t done testing her. She soon began her long battle with breast cancer, a disease that would cut her life short.

He was remembering Sheila Cudney, a woman whom he described as “an incredible human being — honest, loving, supportive and, in my mind, most importantly, authentic.” His loving tribute was supported by a series of old family photos displayed on the screen behind him.

Gord Cudney, speaking at The Royal during a reception held for donors of The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund at The Royal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

In his mother’s name, Gord Cudney, chief development officer at Inflector Environmental Services, has created a memorial fund to establish a support program at The Royal for families of individuals facing the challenges of addiction.

Cudney put the call out to his friends and family for support in August 2024. At that time, it was just an idea. “I’m proud to say that we have surpassed $1 million, and I think we’re on our way to $1.5 million, hopefully after tonight,” Cudney told a room full of donors consisting of close friends and family members, including his sister Janet Cudney, his wife Alexandra Taggart and his brother-in-law Mark Taggart, who’s been a great source of inspiration to him.

After his mother’s passing in 2003, while sorting through her belongings, Cudney discovered a pamphlet she’d kept all those years on how to cope with an alcoholic spouse. What she really needed, said Cudney, was a place where she could seek refuge, learn about the disease, consult counsellors and attend group sessions.

The new addiction family support program made possible by The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund will provide families with the tools, confidence and support they need to play an active and critical role in the recovery of their loved ones.

Demand for support has never been greater, said The Royal’s president and CEO, Cara Vaccarino. “The addiction family support program is a starting point, but it is also a model. It shows how philanthropy can reshape care by placing support exactly where it is needed most.”

The program will be offered individually and in groups, and will not be limited to family members of patients at The Royal. “It will be open to everyone,” said The Royal’s executive director Stephanie Carter. “I have no doubt that, with the expertise of our clinical team, this program will hit the ground running and quickly become an essential resource for families.”

Cudney was recognized at the gathering as one of The Royal’s most dedicated volunteer fundraisers and champions for mental health. He spent 11 years on its foundation board, including several as chair, raising millions for the region’s mental health care, teaching and research hospital, while also encouraging more open conversations about mental health.

“Your fingerprints are everywhere,” said Foundation president and CEO Chris Ide of Cudney’s impact, from golf tournaments to fundraising campaigns to charity breakfasts.

“You’ve always been the kind of leader who rolls up your sleeves and brings people together for a cause bigger than yourself, and I think tonight is just a shining example of that.”

The Royal Ottawa paid tribute to Gord Cudney during a reception held for donors of  The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Mayor and former Royal Ottawa Foundation board member Mark Sutcliffe took to the podium, but instead of sticking to his prepared notes he spoke from the heart about Cudney and his legacy at The Royal.

“You know, we often reflect on the fact that we carry around a lot of stuff with us,” he said, referring to past hardships. “We can’t fix the past, but we can change the future, and that’s what you’re doing right now,” he said of the generous actions by Cudney and “all these wonderful people in the room tonight who have contributed to this. It’s truly, truly powerful.”

Sutcliffe further praised Cudney’s efforts, noting the personal nature of his philanthropy. “Seeing this journey play out with the creation of the memorial fund in honour of your mother, and the creation of the addiction family support program — and just knowing the impact it’s going to have on so many families in our community — it really, really is remarkable.”

The mayor next surprised Cudney with The Royal’s prestigious 2025 Mental Health Advocate Award, presenting it to him with a warm hug.

Sutcliffe, who never had the privilege of meeting Cudney’s mom, shared his belief that you can learn a lot about a person by the children they raise. “Looking at this remarkable guy, I think those of us who didn’t meet Sheila Cudney can still appreciate how incredible she must have been — because we know you.”

Major donors included Cudney, Stuart Ages, Rachel and Colin Baxter, Sheila and Donald Bayne, Rob Ashe and Sandra Herrick, Trinity Development Foundation, CLV Group, Malcolm McTavish, Mark Taggart, Victoria and Thomas Taggart and Kathryn Tremblay.

In a footnote to this difficult family story, Cudney and his sister did reunite with their father a few years ago, just shy of his 90th birthday. Addiction ruined Doug Cudney’s life, but there was still “sweetness in that soul,” said Cudney, speaking with great empathy. “So, this is not just for Mom but also for the lost souls like Doug Cudney.”

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe gave Gord Cudney a big hug after presenting him with The Royal’s 2025 Mental Health Advocate Award during a reception held for donors of The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund at The Royal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Gord Cudney with his wife, Alexandra Taggart, left, and sister Janet Cudney at The Royal during a reception held for donors of The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund at The Royal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Mark Taggart (Taggart Wealth and Estate Planning Inc.), one of the major donors to The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, The Royal’s president and CEO, Cara Vaccarino, with Kathryn Tremblay (Altis Recruitment), one of the major donors to The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe delivered a very sincere tribute to Gord Cudney, a longtime mental health advocate and volunteer fundraiser for The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Anne Tardif (Gowling WLG) with Rachel Baxter and Colin Baxter (Conway Litigation), who were among the major donors to The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Mariette MacIsaac, manager of the Trinity Development Foundation, which was among the major donors to The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund, with Chris Ide, president of The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Dawn Maxwell, Tony Sottile (former CEO at Modern Niagara) and entrepreneur James Maxwell in conversation with George Weber, a former president and CEO of The Royal, at a reception held for donors of The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund at The Royal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Gord Cudney with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who presented him with The Royal’s 2025 Mental Health Advocate Award during a reception held for donors of  The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund at The Royal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, entrepreneur James Maxwell alongside Roberto Campagna (Roca Homes) and his brother, David Maxwell (La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries) at a reception held Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 for donors of The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund at The Royal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Derick Fage (CTV Morning News, supervising producer), Gord Cudney and George Weber, a former president and CEO of The Royal, at a reception held Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 for donors of The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund at The Royal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Ian Burns (David Burns & Associates/DBA) and Scott Parkes (Tamarack Homes, Tartan Homes) at a reception held Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 for donors of  The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund at The Royal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Brett McGarry (Brett McGarry Criminal Law), Ian Brown (Coldwell Banker Rhodes & Company) and Dr. Sjaan Gerth at a reception held Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 for donors of The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund at The Royal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Tracy Raitt-Parkes (volunteer president of the Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre), George Weber (a former president and CEO of The Royal), and Kathryn Tremblay, co-founder and owner of Altis Recruitment, at a reception held Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 for donors of The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund at The Royal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Andrea MacLean, who recently returned to The Royal to take on the role of director of communications, seen with Ingrid Gingras, vice president of communications and donor experience at The Royal Ottawa Foundation during a reception held Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 for donors of The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund at The Royal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Gord Cudney listened from the audience as Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health president Chris Ide paid tribute to him for his years of volunteer work with the Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Derick Fage, supervising producer on CTV Morning Live Ottawa (soon to be rebranded as Your Morning) and Oliver Saner, senior philanthropy officer at The Royal Ottawa Foundation, during a reception for donors of The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund at The Royal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Attendees of a reception for supporters of The Sheila Cudney Memorial Fund were invited to take a parting gift of a chocolate cookie, called “The Cudney Crumble”. Its bakeology is part of a vocational program and social enterprise in The Royal’s Forensic Program to build confidence and life skills through hands-on baking and food service. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

hello@carolineinthecapital.ca