Ainsley (Joe) P. Dorning
DORNING, Ainsley “Joe” P. – Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Guelph, Ontario.
Born in St. Lambert, Quebec, Ainsley Dorning was known simply as “Joe” throughout his life. After graduating from Sir George Williams University, which later became Concordia University, Joe embraced a series of eclectic roles that spoke to his restless spirit. These included spending summers as a cowboy in Alberta and driving logs down the Ottawa River.
In the 1950s, Joe took to the skies as a pilot for the RCAF, where he flew the F-86 Sabre jet. Following his time in the Air Force, he transitioned into a career within the Canadian public service, eventually serving as the Director of Personnel for the National Museums of Canada. After he married, Joe began his young family in Quebec before they eventually settled in Ottawa, a city he lived in for much of his life and grew to love the city deeply
Joe truly excelled at the “life” part of work-life balance. He was a man who never met a stranger; whether it was the person behind a counter or a passerby on the street, he always had a warm smile, a wave, and a moment to chat. His genuine kindness made him a favorite among casual acquaintances and deeply loved by those who knew him best.
An avid outdoorsman, Joe spent his years skiing, cycling, and skating. Even when an unsteady gait made playing tennis impossible, his spirit remained undaunted. He would still show up to the courts, racket in hand, ready to take on all comers.
His adventures extended far beyond the local courts. He spent years camping and canoeing through Canada’s national parks, and upon retirement, he took his passion for cycling across the globe. He famously biked the perimeter of Ireland and navigated the busy streets of London before pedaling through France, Belgium, and Denmark.
When he wasn’t exploring the world, Joe was likely found wherever there was music. As a lifelong lover of dance, he was typically the first one to arrive on the dance floor at family events and invariably the very last one to leave.
Later in life, Joe moved to Guelph, Ont. While a fall in 2024 curtailed many of his beloved activities, he never stopped trying. His New Year’s resolution in 2026 was simply “walking and playing tennis.”
For his 90th birthday, his children hired a pilot to take him up in a restored Harvard Trainer one last time. His family would like to thank his wonderful caregivers at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Center including Beulah, Hannah, Magda, and the many others who cared for him with such compassion.
He is survived by his twin sister, Audrey, who lives in Montreal, his children, Jennifer (Barry), Craig (Lisa), Anne-Marie (Ted), and David and grandchildren, Patrick (Jaclyn), Katie, Ainslie, Jack, Kyra, and Daisy.
Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
A tree will be planted in memory of Ainsley (Joe) P. Dorning in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.