Content Advisory: This article contains sensitive topics including school violence, sexual assault, and suicide.
The family of a student tragically killed in a historic high school shooting in Ottawa has kept memories of that traumatic event tucked away for years. As the 50th anniversary of his untimely death nears, the family of Mark Hough will convene at a wooden bench dedicated to him by Ottawa’s Rideau Canal. The memorial serves as a tribute to Hough’s life, according to his sister Lynne McArthur, and also serves as a poignant reminder that unfortunate events can occur anywhere, even in Ottawa.
In 1975, during a tragic incident at St. Pius X High School, Hough and several classmates were shot by a troubled fellow student who had committed a heinous crime earlier that day. While the other victims survived, Hough succumbed to his injuries over a month later, bringing the total death toll from the event to three.
Reflecting on the upcoming anniversary, McArthur and her family have decided to share their experiences and memories with CBC, alongside Hough’s classmates and friends from Glebe Collegiate Institute, in a four-part series exploring the lasting impact of the tragic events.
WATCH | Mark Hough’s fellow St. Pius students reflect on what was lost:
Part 3: Leave the ugliness behind
Mark Hough, known as “Huff,” was the second youngest of five siblings at the age of 18. His family, deeply affected by his sudden passing, struggled to cope with the overwhelming grief and darkness that enveloped them. However, they gradually moved forward with their lives, finding happiness and success in various endeavors.
As the anniversary approaches, the family is revisiting the past,