Cornelissen, Theodorus Reinier “Rene”
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father Theodorus Reinier “Rene” Cornelissen on January 3, 2023, in his 97th year.
Rene, a resident at Sunnybrook Veteran’s wing for the past 5 years, is the father of four, Elly, Brent (Marilyn), Mark (Tricia), and Robin (Rob). Grandfather (Opa) to 11, and great grandfather to 18.
Born in Holland on October 7, 1926, he served in WW2 in the Dutch Air Force and with the Australian Forces while stationed in Indonesia. Rene returned home to Holland after the war and worked at DAF (a manufacturer of automobiles and trucks) where he met his first wife, Jeannette. They were married in 1954 and emigrated to Canada that same year and settled in Scarborough until parting ways in 1971.
Rene worked at General Electric, Chambers Food, Crouse Hinds Company in Scarborough as the Plant Manager, Kert Chemicals for several years before running the Baker-York Lift Truck division of Otis Elevator located in Hamilton. He then decided he would go out on his own after Otis announced the closing of Baker-York. His passion for building and creating was satisfied for over 15 years.
Rene met Diane and they were married in 1980 and lived in Land’s End, England for 18 years, before coming back to Canada in 1998 and settling in Creemore where he lived a wonderful full life, a dream come true for retirement.
Dad loved to bake and cook. He turned his baking passion into a small business that would see him at the Saturday market selling all the bread and marmalade he made that week. He also loved his workshop in the backyard and was always creating items out of wood while waiting for the bread to rise! After moving out of Creemore in 2018 and into the Allied Veterans Wing of Sunnybrook Hospital he made the most of his woodworking skills in the creative arts and recreation therapy program by building bird houses, wooden Christmas trees and dabbling in ceramics. He also had the gardening gift and tended to all the greenery on his floor for a few years and in the greenhouse. Described by some as fiercely independent this trait allowed him to have 96 wonderful years. When asked about living at Sunnybrook he said, “I live in heaven and taken care of by Angels”. He loved his 5 years there. A huge heartfelt Thank You to all the staff at Sunnybrook for their exceptional and compassionate care at the Veteran’s Wing and to the staff of the ICU and Palliative care for their exemplary care and kindness during his last few weeks.
Cremation has taken place under the care of Quinte Cremation & Burial Services 1-53 Wilson Avenue, Belleville, ON K8P1R7; a private family gathering will take place later this year. Rene will be missed by family and friends who were lucky enough to meet such a gentle, kind man.
If you would like to remember Rene, donations to the Sunnybrook Foundation would be most appreciated. Sunnybrook Foundation
