OTTAWA — Don Blakslee, former general manager of Ottawa’s Lord Elgin Hotel, passed away peacefully on February 6 at the Ottawa General Hospital at the age of 92. Blakslee was a respected and consummate hotelier who mentored many in the hotel industry. He was also a strong ambassador of tourism and Canada’s capital city and was instrumental in promoting Ottawa as a premier destination. Many fondly remember him as the King of Hotels.
Blakslee was raised in Sydenham, Ont., graduated from Ryerson University and immediately began his distinguished hotelier career. Being GM of The Lord Elgin Hotel, Ottawa for almost 50 years earned him the title Lord Blakslee.
He loved the family dog, Oskar, loved to fish and enjoyed spending time at his beloved Kingsmere Lake in the Gatineau Hills. Beloved husband of Joan Blakslee (nee Connolly) for almost 65 years, he is survived by his sons Patrick and James. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Ottawa Boys and Girls Club or the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa Medical Foundation.
