Obituary of Gilbert Van Doninck

Gilbert John Van Doninck, 90, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully Friday, January 29, 2021 at home with his beloved wife by his side. Born Monday, September 29, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan, he was the son of the late August and Rachel LeCat Van Doninck.

Gilbert is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Patricia Kenny Van Doninck, his sister Bernice Van Doninck Knodell; his 2 sons (and daughter-in-law), 3 grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many more loving family and friends.  

A true one-of-a-kind, bright beautiful soul, well-read, a traveler at heart, and deeply loved wherever he went.  A wonderful husband, dad, gigi and friend, an avid debater, respected teacher, solid fly fisher, with a built-in encyclopedia and a heart of gold. He spent 18 years as a Christian Brother serving in Kenya where he founded a teacher training college, taught English in Ardsley, NY and finally retired, splitting his time between Hector, NY and Charleston then Charlotte.

He will be missed, but the stories, laughs and memories will never be forgotten.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Loaves and Fishes in Charlotte, NC, Hector Presbyterian in Hector, NY, or St. Mary’s High School and Child Rescue Center in Nyeri, Kenya:

https://cbconf.salsalabs.org/StMarysSecondarySchoolTwinning/index.html 

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