Jack Van Dusen

We have lost our star, our touchstone.

It is with heavy hearts - and gratitude for a life well lived - that we announce the peaceful passing of Jack Van Dusen on March 27th, at the age of 92. Jack/ Dad/ Grandpa has been such an important force in our lives — Beloved husband of almost 70 years to Olive Davis. Much loved father of Karl (Ann Simmonds), Darlene, Todd (Johanne Brassard), Lee and Lori (John Bertin). Dearly loved Grandpa of Chelsea, Lorin, Justin, Jacquelyne, Trista, Stephanie, Nicole, Chase, Troy, Brooke, Madison and Jenna, and Great-Grandpa to Everly, Sullivan, Greyson and Wrenn.

Son of the late Frank Van Dusen and Irene Grace. Predeceased by brothers Van, Tom and Charles (Chucky), and granddaughter Ashley Van Dusen.

Jack has been our centre, our rock and so often, our comedic relief. Few are as quick to humour or as delightfully charming. No matter how he was feeling, he could engage you, make you chuckle and so, let you know that you were seen in whatever you were doing. Perhaps that was routed in his calling to journalism. He spent 23 years as a journalist, most of that time as a political reporter, covering Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Over the years he was Parliamentary Bureau Chief for United Press International, Bureau Chief for CTV and CJOH TV, a National Editor for Canadian Press News Service in Toronto, reporter at the Ontario Legislature and Director of News and Public Affairs for CJOH TV in Ottawa. He also worked for two Prime Ministers, John Diefenbaker and Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

Jack eventually went to work for the federal government, first as Manager of Information for the Office of Tourism, and then as National Director of Media Relations for Canada Post, at the time the organization (as he put it) “was working through a period of national strikes and revamping a system that had to be pulled kicking and screaming from the buggy age.”

After retirement in 1992, he lived his long and rich remaining years quietly with his loving wife, Olive, surrounded by his loving and always expanding family. We would be remiss not to mention his growing community on FaceBook which delighted in how he brought life to the family’s history through his incisive humour, his many, many pictures, and his enduring love.

Even towards the end, when his body was giving up, Jack had an unwavering love of life and deep sense of gratitude - for his life, his family — with special gratitude to his children Darlene and Lee who made it possible for him and Olive to remain together in their home, — for the incredible kindness of his neighbours and friends, and most recently, for the compassionate care he received from so many doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and others who did so much for him and for Olive. He was so impressed by their dedication and kindness.

A funeral service for Jack will be held on Wednesday, April 19th at 11:00AM at St. Mark the Evangelist Church, located at 160 rue Principale, Gatineau (Aylmer) Quebec. A reception at St. Mark’s will follow the service. We hope you will join us there.