WILLIAM ALEXANDER DUECK

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WILLIAM ALEXANDER DUECK May 13, 1918 - November 25, 2009 William (Bill) Alexander Dueck, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on November 25, 2009, at Donwood Manor. Bill was predeceased by his first son, William Edward (Juliana) in 2001, and by his wife of 66 years, Olga Dueck in 2007. He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Richard (Maureen MacDougall), Dr. Gerald (Dr. Barbara Gfellner) and Sharon (Eric); beloved grandchildren Dr. Dorie-Anna (Phillip Banks) and Trevor; Liana (Chris Kennedy), Hans (Kelly) and Brendan; and Catherine, Lauren and Victoria; and one great-grandchild, Frances Kennedy. Born in Kharkov, Ukraine on May 13, 1918 as the third of five children of Abram and Agatha Dueck, Bill's early childhood coincided with the aftermath of the Bolshevik revolution. Amidst the turmoil of the absorption of Ukraine into the Soviet Republic, his parents chose to immigrate to Canada. In 1924, at age six, Bill found himself on a long sea voyage and a longer rail journey to the Canadian prairies. The Dueck family finally settled in Beechy, Saskatchewan, where they farmed for 13 years before moving to North Kildonan. Bill attended high school in Main Centre and Rosthern, Saskatchewan graduating with Grade 12 in 1937, an almost unheard-of achievement for an immigrant farm boy. After graduating from the Winnipeg Normal School in 1938, his first teaching posts included a Hutterite Colony near Elie and schools in East St. Paul and North Kildonan. While singing in the choir of the North Kildonan Mennonite Church he met Olga Neufeld. Married on August 3, 1941, the first two years of marriage were spent teaching in Arborg, Manitoba, while the latter years of the Second World War were spent performing alternative service at the Hudson Bay's Out Post in Oxford House, Manitoba. Bill had a life-long interest in education and pursued further studies at the University of Manitoba earning a B.Sc. in 1950, a B.Ed. in 1953 and a M.Ed. in 1966. Teaching posts included two years at the Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute, and 32 years in the Winnipeg School Division. The last 18 years of his career were spent in administration, as principal of Isaac Brock, River Elm and Ralph Brown Schools. It was at Ralph Brown that Bill was instrumental in the formation of the first Ukrainian Immersion School in Winnipeg. Besides teaching, life was busy with four children, and an abiding interest in building. Many beautiful homes in the North Kildonan area are a testament to his construction abilities. In 1984 Olga and Bill moved into retirement mode, spending winters in Florida and Texas and traveling to Europe and the Far East. Hobbies included writing a book on the Dueck and Neufeld families, golfing, bowling, and puttering at the cottage at Camp Arnes. Bill and Olga were members of North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church and later became involved with the formation of the McIvor Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church as charter members. After 64 years of marriage, Olga was no longer able to care for Bill at home, and in 2005 he moved to Donwood Personal Care Home. The family would like to thank the staff at Donwood and Dr. R. Martens for their kind and compassionate care of Bill over the past five years. A family interment will take place on Monday, November 30, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens, 4477 Main Street. Following the interment, there will be a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at McIvor Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church, 200 McIvor Avenue. If friends so desire, donations may be made to Camp Arnes, 1151 Henderson Highway, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2G 1L5 or to Donwood Manor Personal Care Home, 171 Donwood Drive, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2G 0V9.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 28, 2009