Obituary of Cornelius "Casey" Anthon Elenbaas

With love and sadness we announce the passing of our beloved father who died peacefully and surrounded by family, in Toronto, on February 27, 2021 in his 94th year. Casey was born in Chatham, Ontario on January 7, 1928. As a teenager he delivered milk by horse and milk wagon for his father’s Dutch Dairy. Following high school Casey began his career in sales, eventually moving his family to Toronto in 1959 to take a position with the Canadian Gypsum Company. He was engaged as a salesman, sales manager and ultimately self-employed entrepreneur in the building materials field for most of his adult life. Casey was enterprising, energetic, gregarious, generous, trusting to a fault and a glass and a half-full optimist. His positive attitude and outgoing personality led him to such sidelines as talent agent and cruise consultant. In later years he took singing, dancing and acting lessons, the latter of which culminated in his star turn walking past Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) on the sidewalk in an episode of The West Wing. No one ever walked past another actor with such grace and authority. Many noted Casey’s resemblance to the actor John Wayne, including Wayne’s nephew, who approached him during a trip to Las Vegas to tell him so.

Casey was a good friend to many. Anyone who came into contact with him would have been introduced to a corny sense of humour that manifested itself in some (actually most) of the worst eye-rolling puns ever uttered. The family came to refer to them as Caseyisms. He was one of a kind; a character in the truest sense of the word.

Casey is survived by his daughter Susan (John), son David (Michelle) and stepson Dick (MarySue) Caron, grandchildren Deanna, Jeff (Samantha), Meghan (Mark) and Ryan (Miriam), great-grandchildren Finn, Ella and Yara, his second wife Shirley and her extended family. Casey was predeceased by his parents Cornelis and Anthonia (de Rijke) Elenbaas, sisters Jean and Sally, brothers Jacob and Stuart, his first wife Betty, great-granddaughter Aurora and his beloved dog Precious.

Thanks to the wonderful staff at The Dunfield Retirement Residence and the team from the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care. A private interment will take place at a later date at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham. Donations in Casey’s memory may be made to the Temmy Latner Centre or the Toronto Humane Society.  Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.