Paul Rushforth, prominent Ottawa real estate broker and radio personality, dies at 52

Paul Rushforth/Facebook

Paul Rushforth, one of Ottawa’s best-known real estate professionals who built one of the capital’s most recognizable brokerages, died Friday. He was 52.

Rushforth, broker-owner of Paul Rushforth Real Estate, also became a familiar voice to listeners as longtime co-host of Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Open House. Before entering real estate, he spent a decade playing professional hockey.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Tributes from across the real estate, broadcasting and hockey communities remembered Rushforth as a successful entrepreneur, mentor and community builder whose influence extended well beyond the industry.

Building a business

Rushforth founded Paul Rushforth Real Estate in 2011 after establishing himself in Ottawa’s housing market. According to his brokerage, he spent more than 22 years in real estate and helped more than 9,000 families buy or sell homes.

His team said his success was rooted in a philosophy that put people first.

“He believed that people always came first,” the brokerage said in a statement. “He treated everyone with kindness, gave generously without expecting anything in return, and made people feel seen, heard and valued.”

The brokerage said Rushforth’s lessons and standards would continue through the team he built, adding that it remained committed to putting relationships ahead of transactions.

A familiar voice

Rushforth spent 19 years co-hosting Open House, CFRA’s Saturday morning real estate and mortgage show.

Frank Napolitano, his longtime co-host, announced Rushforth’s passing in a Facebook post, saying it had “shocked all of us.”

Napolitano said listeners connected with the pair because “what people heard on the radio was exactly who we were off the air.”

He described Rushforth as “a mentor to many, a trailblazer in his industry” and “an even better friend.”

This past Saturday’s program was cancelled, with a tribute broadcast planned for next weekend.

Hockey community pays tribute

Rushforth played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the North Bay Centennials and Belleville Bulls before going on to spend nine years playing professionally.

According to an Ottawa Citizen report, Rushforth grew up playing hockey in Ottawa before his career took him to North American and European leagues. His family eventually moved with him to England, where he finished his playing career as captain and assistant coach of the London Knights.

When the British Ice Hockey Superleague folded in 2003, Rushforth returned to Ottawa. The transition was daunting, according to the Citizen report, because he suddenly had to find a career, a home and a way to support his growing family. He entered real estate soon afterward.

The Ontario Hockey League, which also paid tribute following his death with a post on its website, said Rushforth went on to become “one of the region’s most recognizable names” in Ottawa real estate.

Mental health advocacy

Rushforth was also active in charitable initiatives, particularly in support of mental health.

In 2012, his brokerage’s inaugural charity golf tournament raised more than $21,000 for Do It For Daron, a youth mental-health initiative At the time, Rushforth described the cause as one that was “near and dear to my heart.”

“The number of youth suffering from this illness is staggering and I am honoured to be able to affect change in a positive way,” he said, according to an article published by Realtors Care.

In 2025, he spoke publicly at a fundraiser supporting men’s mental health, sharing parts of his own experience in an effort to encourage others to seek help.

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