Obituary of Thomas-Van Dusen

Van DUSEN, Thomas W. Author, Journalist, Political Aide Peacefully on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at age 90 surrounded by his large devoted family. Loving husband of Shirley (nee Hogan) for 64 happy years. Proud father of Tom Jr., Mark (Joan Woodrooffe), Tina (Dr. Peter Kuling), Julie, Peter (Anna Senkovic) ,Michael (Lorie Hadley) and Lisa. Loving Grandpa to Regan, Anna, Jake, Emma, Sam, Molly, Patrick, Olivia, Grace, Allison, Victoria, Oliver, Alex, Madison and great-grandfather of Nicholas. Survived by his brothers Jack (Olive) and Charles "Chooky". Predeceased by his parents Frank and Irene (nee Grace) and his brother Frank Jr. Tom was born in Ottawa and raised in Gracefield, Quebec. He and Shirley brought up their large brood in Aylmer, Quebec and then later resided in Russell, Ontario. He was a journalist, political aide on Parliament Hill for forty-five years, an author of several books and a life member of the National Press Club of Canada. He was a member of the Ottawa Book Collectors and enjoyed a life-time love of books. A man who never shook his small town Quebec roots, he advised political leaders over the decades, including the Rt. Hon. John Diefenbaker, Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney and the Hon. Allan J. MacEachen. He made sure his children became fluently bilingual by sending them to French schools long before the advent of French immersion. Tom achieved a myriad of accomplishments but he always said his biggest one, was his family. Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street (at O'Connor) on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9pm. Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church, 95 Somerset Street (at Cartier) on Thursday, September 15 at 11am. Reception to follow in the McGarry Family Reception Centre. Heartfelt thanks to St. Patrick's Home where Tom spent his last two years and very special thanks to the wonderful staff on the 2nd floor. In memoriam donations to St. Patrick's Home ( www.stpats.ca ) would be well appreciated.