DUNCAN CRAIG LENNOX Q.C. -

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DUNCAN CRAIG LENNOX Q.C. 1914 - 2005 On September 29, 2005 Duncan Craig Lennox Q.C., LL.B., Lieutenant Commander RCNVR WWII, passed away at the age of 91 years. He leaves to mourn his loving wife Freda of 60 years and his six children: Craig (Bette), Robert, Carla (Gerald), Shelley (Norman), George (Madeleine), Bruce (Laurie); his 11 grandchildren: Scott, Andrew, Patrick, Daniel, Victoria, Duncan, Adam, Mariah, Isabelle, Malcolm and Emily. His greatest joy was his family; his presence, wisdom and good humour will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Duncan was born on May 28, 1914 in Winnipeg, the only child of Maud and George Lennox and was a lifelong resident of the city. He received his early schooling at St. John's College School. He attended the University of Manitoba where he graduated with Bachelor of Science and Law degrees. He was called to the Manitoba bar in 1940. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve in 1940 and saw five and one half years service at sea during the Second World War. During the war, Duncan was in charge of the underwater gates guarding the entrance into Halifax harbour from enemy U-boats. This was followed by service as Executive Officer in the escort vessel HMCS Medicine Hat patrolling the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Sydney, Cape Breton. Thereafter as Executive Officer in the frigate HMCS Jonquiere he engaged in convoy duty on the North Atlantic followed by patrolling the Western Approaches including service on D-Day in the English Channel. Duncan's most treasured memory was of British Admiral D's exhortation Well done Number One! on a jetty in Londonderry, Northern Ireland at the end of the war. Those who knew Duncan well would not be surprised that his hockey skates and golf clubs always accompanied him on sea duty. He was demobilized in 1945 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander and remained a long-term member of the Naval Officers' Association of Canada. In 1946, Duncan married Freda McEwen of Maxville, ON, a WRCNS officer he met while in the Navy. In civilian life, Duncan had a long and distinguished career in the law. He served as a law officer for the Veterans Land Act before joining the City of Winnipeg's legal department. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1966 and was named City Solicitor for Winnipeg in 1971. He appeared at all levels of courts including the Supreme Court of Canada. Following his retirement in 1979, he sat on the Manitoba Municipal Board. In 1967 Duncan was awarded the Centennial Medal for service to the Nation. From childhood, Duncan loved the Lake of the Woods and later delighted in his cottage on Coney Island: fishing off his dock, admiring sunsets and exploring the Lake in his red boat. He had a great love for nature and animals especially his dogs Mose, Skipper and Laddie. Duncan had a lifelong passion for hockey as a player, coach and spectator watching his children and grandchildren play the game he loved. Well into his 80s he enjoyed public skating at River Heights Community Centre. From an early age Duncan was an active member of St. Luke's Anglican Church where he was a choirboy, taught Sunday school, was People's Warden and Rector's Warden. Duncan's humility, concern for others, honesty and integrity informed all aspects of his life. Funeral services will be held at St. Luke's Anglican Church, 130 Nassau St. N., Winnipeg on Thursday, October 6 at 11:00 a.m. If so desired the family would appreciate donations to the Canadian Cancer Society in Duncan's name.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 04, 2005