Anthony “Tony” Dorssers

Anthony “Tony” Dorssers of Blenheim passed away on Monday November 22, 2010 at the age of 77 years. Tony was the thirteenth of fifteen children born in Holland to his late parents Leonardus and Wilhelmina (VanDeKerkhof) Dorssers. As a young teen in Holland, he learned the art of welding. At a young age with twenty five dollars and the desire to succeed, Tony moved to Canada. His welding abilities were quickly recognized by the community and he became known as the man who could fix anything. Tony and his wife Siham were married on December 26, 1959. Together they built the business known as Dorssers Welding Company; a company that would become one of Blenheim’s largest employers supporting many more Dutch Immigrants who came to Tony for employment. Tony and Siham celebrated their success in life generously by taking in family and friends, by giving them jobs and by giving them the tools they needed to become successful in their own businesses. Tony’s retirement from the company in the early 1990’s gave them only a few years to appreciate before he was faced with adversities including his diagnosis of Wegener’s Granulomatosis. Tony displayed the values of a true Christian. His church was important to him, he led by example and despite his success in life, he remained humble. To that end, he was a well respected member of Blenheim and the surrounding communities. Tony and Siham were blessed in life with two children Mike and Carol (Walker) Dorssers of Blenheim and their children Megan (Marshall Cole), Nicole, Clint and Alan; and Jacqueline Dorssers and her son Michael Gabriel Preston of Chatham (son of Tony Preston of Windsor). Tony is survived by his sisters Nel Timmermans (the late John) of Blenheim, Nes Verdellen (the late Wim) of Holland, Marie Joosten (the late Peter) of Blenheim, Jet Haenen (the late Toén) of Holland, Wilma Willemsen (Gerry) of Blenheim, Christine van Haren (Jack) of Ottawa, Dora Vandenberg (the late Bill) of Sarnia, by his brothers Andrew (Ann) of Blenheim, Hank (the late Joanne) of Seaforth and Bill (Mary) of Blenheim and by his sister in law Joanne Dorssers of London. He is predeceased by his sisters Lies Dorssers, Grada Luiking (the late Ben), Ann van Vugt (the late Theo) and by his brother Cornelius on November 15, 2010. Cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street in Blenheim for visitation on Thursday November 25, 2010 from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. Parish Prayers will be held at 7:15 p.m. A Funeral Mass for Tony will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, 95 Marlborough Street North, Blenheim on Friday November 26, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Brother Jorge Villegas officiating. Friends wishing to remember Tony with a Memorial Donation are asked to consider the Vasculitis Foundation Canada to assist and support people and families with Wegener’s Granulomatosis, or to the Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario.