Denis Joseph Battah

When someone is a natural leader in life, they have a lot of memorable qualities, loyalties, long time friends, and a loving family behind them. This description accurately fits Denis Joseph Battah. Then there is his smile. It will be forever remembered by all who knew him and loved him, a smile that lights up the room. His booming laugh, joy for life and positive outlook will always be remembered by his family, his friends and his colleagues

Denis was born to Jeanne and Henry Battah in Toronto, Ontario in June of 1955. His parents, primarily French speakers, had recently moved to Ontario from New Brunswick so Denis’s first language at home was french. Denis’s first days in kindergarten were challenging as he didn’t speak English. Fast forward 60 years, and Denis no longer remembers much French! The Battah family continued many east coast traditions in the family, notably with food. Denis was a lifelong lover of fish and seafood of all sorts, and a lover of wild meats! His family has a love of comfort foods, indeed his mom and dad had a catering business at one time in Aurora, Ontario and his mom had a home cooking style restaurant while the family was living in Kirkfield Ontario. As a result, Denis also loved to cook, bake bread, and roast and smoke meats throughout his adult life. Denis, the oldest child, has 3 siblings, Bernice, Janet and brother Paul. All of the siblings have this same affinity for food and family in common. They are a close family and fiercely loving and protective of each other.

From an early age Denis showed an affinity for working with his hands, fixing things and fabricating. He started working as a young teen, already with a keen sense that hard work brings you success. Throughout his long career as a welder and ironworker, his skills with tools and machines brought him much success and happiness. He loved to work. He was a proud and upstanding member of local 721 Ironworkers Union. He was well known throughout his working career for his exceptional leadership, talent and unique skills, his work ethic, and his camaraderie, forging many lifetime friendships along the way.

His passion in his free time was always his motorcycle. He got his first bike at 15 years old and left home at 17 to head out west for work. He lived for many years in Calgary, Alberta, frequently working out of town in the remote north of western Canada. In the summer, he travelled extensively across Canada and the US on his motorcycle, often alone, always camping. He worked hard and long hours all winter so he could take extra time off in the summer to hit the road. Denis also loved fishing, hunting, family camping trips, boating and canoeing, trail riding ATV’s and skiing. He was a long time member of Le Shack Hunt Club, started by his father Henry and friends.

When Denis returned to Ontario to live, it was time to have a family. His deep and enduring love for his daughters Kaileigh and Allyson, and ‘bonus’ daughter Jaynene was the highlight of his middle years as he watched them grow with pride into the beautiful women and successful adults they are today. In recent years, he also experienced the love and joy of grandchildren when daughter Kaileigh had daughter Shayden in 2018.

Denis met Cathy in 2019, whom he describes as the love of his life. Together they shared 4 years in a whirlwind of love and the celebration of life. Finally, he had met someone with whom he could really live life to the fullest and who shared many of his passions: the outdoors and camping, motorcycles, boating, canoeing, hiking, live music, good food, travelling the world, movies, RV camping, beer and cheese tastings, and so much more.

Denis and Cathy travelled to British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, throughout Ontario, Mexico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Ireland, France, Holland, Spain, Switzerland, Italy and Greece. Denis and Cathy were married on May 14, 2022. It was a beautiful, hot, sunny day shared with family and friends, good food, live music and fun. Now he had 6 grandchildren to love, Shayden plus Cathy’s five: Layla, Jasper, Zoe, Ruby and Louise. His wife Cathy loved him truly and deeply. Together they put 10 years of living into 4 years of life knowing that life is short but love lives forever.

Denis was taken from us far too early, but we can rest assured that he lived hard and well, and that he had no regrets. A man well loved and a life well lived, is a man worth remembering. Denis Joseph Battah lives on in the hearts of those that knew him and loved him and will always be truly missed every day.

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It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our cherished Dad, Husband, Grandpa and Friend, Denis Joseph Battah, age 67, of Courtice, Ontario on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

He was born in Toronto, Ontario on June 23, 1955, to the late Henry and Jeanne Battah.

The heart and soul of his family, he was a loving and devoted husband to Cathy (nee Moore), incredible Dad to Kaileigh (Matt), Ally and Jaynene (Pete), Grandpa to Shayden and Grandpa Denis to Layla, Jasper, Zoe, Ruby and Louise, and a loyal friend to everybody. We also can’t forget his beloved rescue dog, Meeka.

Known for his tender heart, crooked smile, generosity, compassion, and ability to fix just about anything, he was a loving brother to Bernice (Ron) and Janet (Danny, Mark, Dave, Bill, Ginger) and the late Paul (Leanne).

His magnetic personality drew everyone to him. His positive attitude and comforting presence will be missed by all that knew him. His love for his family was immeasurable. Denis could be described as a jack of all trades, skilled with his hands, a practical problem solver and always willing to help a friend.

He was proud to have worked hard as a welder and ironworker with Local 721. To know him was to love him as witnessed by his loyal friendships with childhood friends and former colleagues. Most importantly, his acts of kindness have touched many lives. He loved unconditionally and was the fierce protector of those he loved.

He left home at the age of 17 (or maybe it was 18) on his Moto Guzzi headed west and spent many years having adventures and working all over western Canada before heading back to Ontario in 1986. For many years he was a devoted Harley Davidson rider but, in his retirement, he jumped ship and moved onto a Honda Goldwing and never looked back.

He got married for the first and only time on May 14th, 2022, at the age of 66 after finally finding the love of his life, Cathy.

He has always been, and will continue to be a pillar of strength for his family. His unwavering determination and resilience throughout his journey with his illness has made him a hero to all those who knew him. His humor, humble ways, integrity, and kindness will live on forever through all of us. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Denis wished for everyone to be together to remember the good times, share stories and celebrate his life. Please join us on Monday, April 24, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Courtice Funeral Chapel, 1587 Hwy 2, Courtice, Ontario for an open house celebration including light snacks and a bar.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Denis's memory may be made to a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.courticefuneralchapel.com for the Battah family.