Community
30 July, 2024
His life was well-lived
THE community has celebrated the life of beloved leader, beacon and businessman Lionel Van Dorssen.
On Wednesday last week the community gathered to bid farewell Mr Van Dorssen who died at the age of 90.
Known as a savvy businessman, owner of Van Dorssen’s Tobacconist and Gifts, a fierce and dedicated leader serving 12 years at the-then Cairns City Council from 1976 and a loving family man, husband and father of seven, Mr Van Dorssen was honoured and celebrated last week for his achievements.
Son Chris Van Dorssen said his father left behind a legacy of generosity and community.
“My father set the standard for shopkeepers at the time. It wasn’t only the Cairns community that relied on Van Dorssen’s, but also the Tablelands,” he said.
“He was a generous man, a people’s person.
“He had seven children, grandfather to 17 and great grandfather to eight and to this day we still all meet.
“For his community he served 12 years in council. I still remember him getting calls on the weekend from people telling him their house had flooded and they knew that they would be taken care of.
“Back then councillor was more of volunteer role than a paid role and he did it because he loved Cairns. He was also a very Catholic man who’d go to church every morning.
“In 90 years, he achieved a lot and that’s his legacy.”
Mr Van Dorssen was born in Mackay on November 14, 1933, but he moved to Cairns when he was just a baby. His family says he loved growing up in Cairns.
He was married to his wife Viv for 63 years and was a proud parent to seven children. He played a pivotal role in the success of Van Dorssen’s after taking over from his father Richard. Seizing the growth of Cairns as a tourist town, he expanded the store to offer souvenirs and giftware.
He served 12 years on the council, two of those as a deputy mayor, and presided over a significant period of development in Cairns with the opening of the international airport. He was the chairman of the North Queensland Electricity Board and served for 22 years at the Endeavour Foundation. He was awarded an OAM in recognition to his service to local and industry and government.
But Mr Van Dorssen’s most precious achievement was his family.
“My father had his family, his community and his faith and it meant everything to him,” said Chris Van Dorssen.
