Cornelius "Case" Johannes Vandenbelt

After 91 years of “just living the life”, Case Vandenbelt, Husband to (the late) Dora, Dad to Rudy (Danica) and Catherine (Rob), Opa to Ava, Nathan, Alex, Scott, Cameron and Trevor,  and Dear Friend of Gail with children Peter (Carole) and Erika (Peter), passed away peacefully on June 28, 2021. Loved and admired by his family and many close friends, Case will be missed beyond measure. The incredible impact he has left on those he knew, will live on in his legacy.

His tenacity, work ethic, determination, incredible gift of story-telling, ability to have fun, and his infinitely generous spirit in helping others has set an example for all of us.  He was a man of many talents, skills and inventions, a fantastic story-teller, a dog-lover, and had a rather “risqué” sense of humour. His motto was always, “you’re only as old as you act” and was always so proud when, after announcing his age, someone would comment “WOW you look way younger than THAT”.

Case was born in the Netherlands and immigrated to Canada after the war.   Upon arriving in Ottawa ahead of most of his family in 1952, Case was able to apply his instrument technician and watchmaking skills learned in the Dutch military with Sherritt Gordon Mines, Sperry Gyroscope Ottawa, and Alcan in Kingston. Eventually, in the late 1950’s Case joined his father and brother Arnold in the family miscellaneous metals business, Vandenbelt Metal Works.  He would later go on to found his own specialty metals business CJ Manufacturing in the early 1980”s.

After arriving in Canada, Case met and married his first love Dora, had a family, hand-built 3 large pleasure boats, namely Cadoruca I, II , and III.  Many of his most treasured life-long friendships were made relaxing on the water aboard the Cadoruca, Nobles Bay, at Murphy’s Point Provincial Park would usually find the Cadoruca anchored along side the Therapi, Lynda IV, and many others!

Case stayed constantly busy and deeply involved in the Ottawa RC model community where another group of incredible friendships blossomed. He was involved with the ORCC (Ottawa Remote Control Club) as president, and MAAC (Model Aeronautics Association of Canada) , both of which he has become a life-time member. Case was a key member of the group that brought the 1980 world FIA model aircraft and RC sailing championships to Ottawa. He remained involved in the Rideau Nautical Modelers, and the Rideau Flyers RC groups right to the end.

Indeed, the one large legacy that Case leaves behind are the memories carried forward by the many life-long friends that he has made and the lives that he has impacted over all these years.

We invite all those who cared about him, to drop in, raise a glass to Case’s full and well-lived life, and share stories of his antics, at a backyard garden open-house on what would be his 92nd birthday on August 7, 2021.