It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dale Van Zant on Wednesday Dec 18, 2024 at Humber River Hospital after a brief illness.

Dale was beloved husband of Amy , wonderful brother to Mark (Brigitte) and Lana (Allan) Dunlop, and cherished uncle to Melissa, Jeffrey , Kaleb and great uncle to Noah.

Dale was born on May 16, 1954 to parents Lois Pat Orr and Calvin John Van Zant at Port Credit, Ontario and grew up in the small town of Little Current, Manitoulin Island. It’s a small knit community of about 1,000 where everyone knew one another on first name basis. He participated in various sports during his early school years including softball, golf and curling.

While attending Laurentian University, in Sudbury, Ontario during summer months, he played competitive football for the Sudbury Spartans and competed with other teams throughout Ontario. He was a very good place kicker. He was part of the Canadian Luge Team for the 1980 winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. He was the back up for the team.

Dale graduated with Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Political Science in 1978 from Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario. He pursued further studies in 1987 in Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he obtained Master of Theological Studies.

He was involved in a variety of careers including sales, career counseling and teaching ESL.

Dale's infectious smile and humor are well known amongst his friends and family. Many times he would elicit laughter from telling his well spun jokes. He served as a deacon in the United Church of God - Canada. He worked at the church's national office and served in his congregation. His warm personality, smile and service left positive impressions in the hearts of people he came in contact with. Dale taught and encouraged others to take action and to be proactive in their daily Christian life.

Dale will be forever remembered and will be forever missed.

Visitation at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel (2357 Bloor Street West), Toronto, on Thursday, December 26, 2024 from 5-8 pm. Service will be held in the Chapel, Friday, December 27, 2024 at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Sanctuary Park Cemetery.