Kelly Fontil: Tailoring a Legacy

Meet Kelly Fontil — a master tailor whose craftsmanship has quietly supported the Ottawa Police Service for decades.

Originally from Haiti, Kelly joined his mother in Canada in 1984. One day, walking through the ByWard Market, he stopped into Mendel Good’s tailor store, and struck up a conversation with owner. That conversation changed his life. Mr. Good offered him a job.

“In Haiti, we make clothes. Here, we do alterations, which is an entirely different thing,” Kelly explains. “Mendel taught me how to do alterations, and I worked with him for seven years before buying the place.”

In 1991, Kelly purchased the business, continuing to work alongside Mr. Good for several years before he moved to Toronto to be with family. Mr. Good passed away a few years ago at 93, but his mentorship lives on through Kelly’s work.

Kelly transformed the shop from a walk-in storefront into a contract-based business, securing long-standing partnerships with military and government organizations. His first major contract with the Governor General’s office began 32 years ago. “I remember the exact day and year,” he says. “We filled out the contract on the hospital bed while my wife was in labour with my son.”

For nearly 30 years, Kelly has worked closely with the Ottawa Police Service. From taking precise measurements of new recruits to tailoring winter jackets, overcoats, and specialized uniforms, his hands have shaped the uniforms worn by our members for nearly three decades.

It is detailed, behind-the-scenes work that most never see, but it is essential.

Today, Kelly’s sons help out at the store, continuing a family tradition rooted in dedication and skill.

From a young man arriving from Haiti willing to learn a new craft, to the trusted tailor behind thousands of uniforms, Kelly Fontil’s story is one of mentorship, hard work, and lasting impact.