We regret to advise that Lieutenant Colonel John Van Doornick CD died on 26 December 2005 at St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC.
Born in Amsterdam, Holland in 1918, his family emigrated to Canada and he was schooled in Toronto. John joined the Canadian Army in 1941 in North Bay and was commissioned in April 1943 while in the United Kingdom. He saw action in France and Holland with 2nd Field Company of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division.
After the war, when the Canadian Army assumed responsibility for the Northwest Highway System [the Canadian part of the WW II Alaska Highway], Lieutenant Van Doornick served with 1 Road Maintenance Company, RCE 1946-49. After this tour, John served 1949-51 with the Central Command at Oakville, ON. He was then posted to Army Headquarters with the Directorate of Personnel 1951-55 - including a year on the Army Staff College Course in Kingston. Major Van Doornick then commanded 2 Field Squadron, Camp Chilliwack, 1955-57 and was Commanding Officer of 4 Field Squadron, Germany 1957-60. Returning to Canada, John was Officer Commanding, Military Engineering Squadron before being appointed Chief Instructor at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering (Aug 1961 - Dec 1962). Following this assignment, John was posted to Deputy Chief Construction Engineering staff at National Defence Headquarters staff at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Upon retirement, he served with the Treasury Board.
Private cremation was conducted and there was no visitation or service In accordance with the family's wishes.