In memory of
John Calder Dorland
August 14, 1943 - April 24, 2024
Dorland, John Calder of Toronto died peacefully on April 24, 2024 at Bridgepoint Hospital with family by his side.
Born Aug 14, 1943 in Laurel Mississippi, his parents moved back to Canada to Sault Ste Marie shortly after his birth.
John was preceded in death by his parents Jean and Rodger, originally of Montreal and Prince Edward County, his daughter Kristi Dorland, and his nephew Todd Harris.
He is survived by his heartbroken wife Rosemary Stortz Dorland, his daughter Tara Martin (Bill), grandchildren MacKenzie Martin (Kennedy), Payton Tenebaum, Abby Martin (Chris), Victoria Martin (Mark), and great grandson Mason.
Also survived by his sister Joie Harris, nephew John Harris (Tracey) and their children Logan and Isabella, his special cousins who he called the Calder girls- Cathey, Janet, and Carole who he spent many summers with as a young man. He is survived by his in-laws Larry Stortz (Barbara), Terry Stortz, Teresa Stortz, and the Stortz nephews and their children, and Glenn Mottershead (Jeanette), Colin Mottershead (Lucy) and the Mottershead nieces, nephews and their children.
John was an optimistic fighter all his life.
He was told at 2 years old that due to Rheumatic Fever he would never walk. Yet he fought through his childhood to become a marathon runner and ran most days as an adult.
Later when in his 40’s he was diagnosed with AML Leukemia and was told that he would live about 12 weeks. 30 years later after years of treatment, as the pandemic hit he went into remission. Unfortunately a new cancer developed last fall and spread quickly.
He lost his eyesight about 30 years ago as a result of his cancer treatments but never lost his love of books. His computer would read them to him and he always had one or two on the go.
He was a US Marine, and is currently a member of Actra, Acct, Sag-Aftra, and the Toronto Musicians Association.
John worked 35 years for Northern Telecom eventually becoming VP World Trade which allowed him to travel the world while working. When he lost his sight he became a public speaker He educated groups on diversity and respect in the workplace. - Speaking to everyone from TD Canada Trust to 3M, Bell Canada, Sanofi Pasteur, Toyota, and others. He spoke to police groups and inmates in jails. Even without his sight he was fiercely independent. He loved his life and gave 110% to everything he did.
Earlier in life he drove a bookmobile delivering books to seniors, and volunteered to teach disabled children to swim. He donated many frequent flyer miles to the Make A Wish foundation over the years. He donated blood regularly before he became ill, and as a young man donated bone marrow to save the life of a little girl in Sweden.
We will celebrate his life on May 11, 2024 at 1:00 at Pine Hills Cemetery 625 Birchmount Rd Toronto. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Interment will follow at a later date at Wellington Cemetery, Prince Edward County.
John will be greatly missed by many friends, family, and all those who knew him. He touched many lives. The world is a whole lot duller today.
Born Aug 14, 1943 in Laurel Mississippi, his parents moved back to Canada to Sault Ste Marie shortly after his birth.
John was preceded in death by his parents Jean and Rodger, originally of Montreal and Prince Edward County, his daughter Kristi Dorland, and his nephew Todd Harris.
He is survived by his heartbroken wife Rosemary Stortz Dorland, his daughter Tara Martin (Bill), grandchildren MacKenzie Martin (Kennedy), Payton Tenebaum, Abby Martin (Chris), Victoria Martin (Mark), and great grandson Mason.
Also survived by his sister Joie Harris, nephew John Harris (Tracey) and their children Logan and Isabella, his special cousins who he called the Calder girls- Cathey, Janet, and Carole who he spent many summers with as a young man. He is survived by his in-laws Larry Stortz (Barbara), Terry Stortz, Teresa Stortz, and the Stortz nephews and their children, and Glenn Mottershead (Jeanette), Colin Mottershead (Lucy) and the Mottershead nieces, nephews and their children.
John was an optimistic fighter all his life.
He was told at 2 years old that due to Rheumatic Fever he would never walk. Yet he fought through his childhood to become a marathon runner and ran most days as an adult.
Later when in his 40’s he was diagnosed with AML Leukemia and was told that he would live about 12 weeks. 30 years later after years of treatment, as the pandemic hit he went into remission. Unfortunately a new cancer developed last fall and spread quickly.
He lost his eyesight about 30 years ago as a result of his cancer treatments but never lost his love of books. His computer would read them to him and he always had one or two on the go.
He was a US Marine, and is currently a member of Actra, Acct, Sag-Aftra, and the Toronto Musicians Association.
John worked 35 years for Northern Telecom eventually becoming VP World Trade which allowed him to travel the world while working. When he lost his sight he became a public speaker He educated groups on diversity and respect in the workplace. - Speaking to everyone from TD Canada Trust to 3M, Bell Canada, Sanofi Pasteur, Toyota, and others. He spoke to police groups and inmates in jails. Even without his sight he was fiercely independent. He loved his life and gave 110% to everything he did.
Earlier in life he drove a bookmobile delivering books to seniors, and volunteered to teach disabled children to swim. He donated many frequent flyer miles to the Make A Wish foundation over the years. He donated blood regularly before he became ill, and as a young man donated bone marrow to save the life of a little girl in Sweden.
We will celebrate his life on May 11, 2024 at 1:00 at Pine Hills Cemetery 625 Birchmount Rd Toronto. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Interment will follow at a later date at Wellington Cemetery, Prince Edward County.
John will be greatly missed by many friends, family, and all those who knew him. He touched many lives. The world is a whole lot duller today.
Funeral Details
Show location:
Celebration of Life
Pine Hills Cemetery & Funeral Centre
625 Birchmount Road, Toronto, ON, CANADA, M1K 1R1
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Saturday, 11 May 2024 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM