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REV. CANON WILLIAM EDGAR DUFF
Born: Sep 26, 1932
Date of Passing: Mar 11, 2018
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to St. Boniface Hospital Foundation
REV. CANON WILLIAM EDGAR DUFF September 26, 1932 - March 11, 2018 If you are reading this, I must be dead. That's all right. I have had a rich and abundant life in terms of blessings received. Along with younger siblings, David and Mary, I was born into two closely connected Celtic families, with caring parents (Mim and Ted), grandparents (Eva and Jo Ayers, and Lois and Bob Duff), uncles and aunts and cousins - too numerous to name. I was blessed in marrying a warm, wise, and supportive mate (Mary Webb). I couldn't have been given better! We were blessed with five children, Miriam (George), Peter (Melody), Catherine (Paul), Sarah (Kevin), and our adopted son, Michael (Nona). We rejoice in the gift of 13 grandchildren (Matthew, Zachary, Justin, Katie, Natasha, Callum, Emily, Anna, Erin, William, Thomas, Robert, and Alesha). We were blessed serving in six Parishes: Manvers and Hearst in rural Ontario, St. Paul's Bloor Street in Toronto, St. George's Crescentwood and St. Paul's Fort Garry, in Winnipeg, and St. Augustines in Lethbridge. We have enjoyed and shared in wonderful communities in retirement - in Canmore, Alberta, Victoria Beach, and 65 Paget Street. In every one of these communities, both parish staff and members have been a blessing. I have loved being in this world that is so full of the divine in all its creatures and creativity. All along the way there have been many fellow creatures, teachers, associates, and friends, who have enlarged our spirits (helped me grow). As someone has put it so well, "I have been blessed with companions of my soul who have kissed me into greater wholeness all my life." For which I thank the holy one, God our mentor - energizing incarnate creator. The family would like to express deep appreciation to the entire team of the Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit at St. Boniface Hospital - especially Dr. Ian Surdhar and Dr. Owen Mooney, who treated Bill and our family with great skill and compassion. Tim Fenlon and the chaplaincy department also kindly supported us all. Dr. Le and the staff of Beausejour Hospital provided excellent initial care and coordination. In lieu of flowers, the family would be glad to support the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation for purposes of Intensive and Spiritual Care. Bill loved being a parish priest, and so he would be pleased if you made a donation in his memory to your own parish church. A Celebration of Life will be held for Bill Duff on Saturday, March 31 at 1:00 p.m., at St. George's Anglican Church, Grosvenor at Wilton.
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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 17, 2018
Condolences & Memories (11 entries)
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Bill was the priest at St. Paul's Fort Garry when I first started to attend the Anglican Church in 1968. It was his influence and patient mentoring that drew me more and more into the life of the Church and ultimately led to my last 25 as Diocesan Chancellor. I cannot thank him enough for the positive influence that he had on my life. As Tennyson wrote in Ulysses, "tho' much has been taken, much remains". - Posted by: Art Braid (Former parishioner and friend) on: Mar 31, 2018
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Mary and Family, David and I are so very sorry for your sadness at this time. Bill was so kind, thoughtful and inspiring and he will never be forgotten. We were so privileged to have Bill and his wonderful family be part of our lives in our marriage, our son Danny's baptism and our years of music at St. Paul's Anglican Church. I will never forget our parent teachers conferences at Oakenwald School and Vincent Massey Collegiate and the many early morning beach walks and garden visits we shared at our cottages at Victoria Beach. I will see you in every sunrise and sunset. God Bless You Always! - Posted by: Joanne and David Gibson (Friend and Pastor) on: Mar 30, 2018
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We have blessed to have known Bill and you Mary. Enriching our lives with your wisdom and love. God bless you as you embark on this new path of your life journey without him. Prayerfully and with many fond memories, Love in Jesus, Sandy and Len - Posted by: Len and sandy whyte (Friends ) on: Mar 27, 2018
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Dear Mary and Family, So sorry to hear about Bill. He was a kind, gentle and loving man. He also had a great voice, and his big laugh was infectious. I loved listening to him talk, even in sermons ;) He will be missed by all the people whose lives he touched with his great big heart. Sending you all hugs. - Posted by: Jane Sherwin (Cawker) (Parishioner, VBer) on: Mar 21, 2018
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My sincere thoughts, prayers and love to your family in this time. "Father Bill" (as I knew him) was a constant throughout my childhood and in our family. I will always think of his services (particularly the Christmas and Easter services) with fondness and his dedication to the church and our family with gratitude. I was so touched when he came up to greet me after my grandmother's funeral last fall, after not seeing each other for decades, with a warm smile and a hug. The world has truly lost a kind and beautiful light. - Posted by: Amanda Aldous (Parishioner St George's Anglican Church) on: Mar 21, 2018
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"Great men always pay deference to greater", as Bill did. A wonderful man, yet always humble before God. We always enjoyed gentle Grampa Duff and his boisterous laugh. He will be missed. Mary, we pray that you and your family rely on the Lord to comfort and guide you in this difficult time. - Posted by: Theresa (Parishioner St. Michael's Canmore) on: Mar 21, 2018
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Dear Mary and family, I am so sorry to hear that Bill has passed. What a wonderful obituary he crafted for himself! Full of meaning and memories it was as if I was hearing his own voice. I have grown up at VB knowing that 'The Duffs' were always right across the avenue. Kindly and loving always. As an adult I enjoyed sitting with a cup of tea in your kitchen catching up on a year's worth of news. I'm saddened to know that Bill is gone but a more peaceful man I have never met and I believe without a doubt that he is peaceful still. with love from Nancy, Summer, Senna and mom Patricia who sends her love as well. - Posted by: Nancy Hurst (VB neighbour) on: Mar 18, 2018
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My sympathies to you and your family .Your dad lived a good long life and has left a great legacy of a life well lived. Take care Debbie Kuypers - Posted by: Debbie Kuypers (friend of Mim) on: Mar 18, 2018
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Dear Aunt Mary, Miriam, Peter, Cate, Sarah and families We ask that God may bless all who mourn this loss and that God will give you comfort in knowing that your husband/father is in His hands and that one day you shall meet again. We were all blessed to have Uncle Bill in our lives! love from Doug and Wendy - Posted by: Doug and Wendy Wilburn (Nephew) on: Mar 18, 2018
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You will be greatly missed. - Posted by: Jaylin (Parishioner ) on: Mar 17, 2018
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Many years have passed since team-work st St. Paul's but the blessings of our association have never been forgotten. I hear his voice in the obituary! To Mary and the children, I send every blessing and thanks that I can muster, and to God I give thanks for my friend! - Posted by: Mac Jones (Grateful brother priest and friend) on: Mar 17, 2018