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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
PULLEN, John William (Willy) - a revered leader, devoted family man, and master storyteller, sailed on to the next journey on December 16, 2025, in Calgary, Alberta.
Willy attended the Canadian Coast Guard College, where he earned his degree in Nautical Science from 1974-1979. He also held a Coast Guard Command certificate. On leaving the Canadian Coast Guard in the 1980s, he joined the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve and was given the rank of Lieutenant Commander, recognizing his long track record of respected sea service and dedication to serving his country.
After receiving a Master's degree in Public Administration from Carleton University, Willy transitioned into academic, consulting and leadership roles. He was a founding faculty member of the Canadian Centre for Management Development, he ran a successful consulting business working in many different departments of the federal government and RCMP, and was Executive-in-Residence at the Centre for Public Management and Policy at O'Dell House, University of Ottawa from 2010-2024. His unique and instrumental contributions to developing senior leaders within Canada's public sector were highly regarded.
Willy is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Julia Gordon; his daughter Sarah, son-in-law Andrew and granddaughter Margo; his siblings, Helen Cathcart, Frances Gregor (Ron), Margo Sly, and Tinker "Amy" McKay (John); sister-in-law, Gill Pullen, 15 nieces and nephews, and many friends and colleagues. He was predeceased by his mother, Helen Pullen (née McKean), his father, Ret. Rear-Admiral Hugh Francis Pullen, OBE, CD, RCN, his brother Major Hugh F Pullen, sister Sarah McLoughlin, and brothers-in-law Richard Cathcart and Brian McLoughlin.
A celebration of Willy's remarkable life will take place on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 10:00 am EST at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre at Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa, ON. (The Halifax Chronicle Herald 31 Jan 2026)
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