DUNCAN THOMAS MCWHIRTER

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DUNCAN THOMAS MCWHIRTER Following a minor stroke and a succession of hospital complications, Duncan passed away Tuesday, July 20, 2010, in St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC. He was born in Winnipeg, MB on May 16, 1935. Predeceased by his parents, he is survived by his loving wife Jody, sister Judy Glass, (Winnipeg), nephews Thomas and Jeff (Winnipeg), Dave (Florida), seven great-nieces and nephews and his wife's children, Mary and James Manning (Victoria). He attended the original' Seven Oaks School, Victory and Centennial Schools to tenth grade. His youth was spent as a loyal paper boy for the Winnipeg Tribune and Star Weekly as well as playing organized hockey and baseball at West Kildonan Community Center under the coaching of Vince Leigh. The family moved to Thunder Bay in 1950 where he graduated from Fort William Collegiate. In 2004, he and a few long time buddies organized a 50th reunion for F.W.C.I. via computer. Friends were forever! He was an Honors Graduate in English and Modern History from the University of Toronto. Duncan had a long and varied career as a journalist. He worked for BC newspapers and with the Canadian press national news service in Toronto and Montreal bureaus. He then moved to London, England and served the Reuters global news agency editorially on its World Desk 1964-1968. After a few years back in Canada he returned to work in the Central Office of Information for the British government. After his retirement to BC he wrote and published three novels - White Houses (2000), The Paper Boy (2005), The Girl in the Grass (2007) - Trafford publishing. Duncan will be greatly missed by all who knew him and those enriched by his journalistic and literary talents. He requested no funeral service. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to First United Church, 320 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, or a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 26, 2010