COLIN ALBERT DUNCAN

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COLIN ALBERT DUNCAN Colin was born Monday, October 20, 1930 at Austin, MB. Colin loved adventure, and left school at the age of 15 to experience life. Colin married his true love, Doreen, Saturday, September 28, 1957 at Westminster United Church in Winnipeg. Colin was a hard working man and he loved a challenge. His work took him all over the country. From Western Canada where he worked with Doreens brother Lionel as a cat skinner building roads, to the Portland Canal where he worked on "Bonus Nicks" logging boats. He even ventured as far as the Grand Duc Mines in Stuart, BC near Hyder, AK. At the time that Colin and Doreen married, he was already building his expertise as a mechanic working for the Trans Canada Pipeline which took the couple to Guelph, ON. The year that followed was filled with travelling as the couple bought a trailer and went wherever the Trans Canada Pipeline took them. Later that year, their first child, Richard, was born. The following year, they moved to Winnipeg where Denise joined the family. Colin worked for Winnipeg Supply and Vulcan Machinery. It was Vulcan Machinery that sent the couple up north to The Pas in 1961 where the family would find love, happiness and two more children, Cherylyn and Scott. The family set down roots in The Pas and chose not to return to Winnipeg when Vulcan Machinery asked them to. Instead, they stayed in The Pas and Colin worked briefly for Bickle Motors before he decided to open his own business. Colin was an excellent mechanic, welder and machinist and the first "Duncan Repair" was built on Ralls Island. The business continued to grow and Colin never looked back. Eventually Colin convinced Simon Arsenault to sell him a parcel of land on Grace Lake Road, which became home to the second "Duncan Repair Shop". He used to answer the phone on occasion saying, "Duncan Repair, Proprietor, Authorized Cummins Dealer and Floor Sweeper speaking". In 1986 when Colin retired, his oldest son Richard purchased the business and continued on the family tradition, opening the third "Duncan Repair" in the Kelsey Industrial Park. With "Duncan Repair" in good hands, Colin was free to enjoy his retirement years on the north shore of Rocky Lake. Colin was a Kinsmen in the early 1960s. He served on The Pas Pool Committee and Recreation Committee in the 1970s when his children were involved in sports. Colin loved to spend time with his family. One of their favourite fun spots was Clearwater Lake where he would burn a barrel of gas water-skiing with the kids and their friends. He loved fishing, gardening, motorcycling, playing cards, canning fruit, building and working with wood. He even learned to make quilts with Doreen. Colin was a loving and devoted father, grandfather, and husband. He enjoyed sharing his hobbies and talents with other people. So many of us have been fortunate to taste his homemade breads and jams, to go for a ride in a wagon that he made and pulled behind his trike, cuddle up under one of the beautiful quilts he helped to make or walk up the stairs that he built at the Wanless Community Church. These are a few of the many ways that Colin has left his mark on so many lives. Colin passed away with his family at his side, Wednesday, January 30, 2002 at St. Anthonys Hospital, The Pas. He was 71 years old. He is survived by a large, close knit family, including his wife, Doreen; children, Richard (Gail) Duncan, Denise Duncan (Stewart Parker), Cherylyn (Dave) Antymniuk, and Scott (Kim) Duncan; grandchildren, Heather Duncan, Ryan Freeman, Jonathan Antymniuk, Rachael Antymniuk; great-grandchildren, Brodie Duncan, and Blake Colin Lewis Freeman; brother Jack (Pat) Duncan; sisters, Mary (Max) Caldwell, Dyla (Ken) McGregor, and Katherine Mollard; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Stan and Connie Stefanyshyn, and Ron and Joan Templeton; as well as numerous other relatives and friends. Colin was predeceased by his father Kenneth, mother Lucille, sister Edna Jaeger, brother-in-law Ronnie Mollard, brother-in-law Lionel Douglas Templeton, father-in-law James Earl Templeton, mother-in-law Louise Templeton. In keeping with Colins wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family interment will take place at a later time. A service of remembrance was held Saturday, February 2 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, The Pas, MB, with James Hemauer presiding. Music Ministry was Sue Harper and organist, Tanis Asselstine. Memories were given by Colins children, Richard, Denise, Cherylyn, and Scott, as well as Peter Netherway. Musical Tribute of "THE ROSE" was given by Gina Netherway. If friends so desire, donations made to The Pas Health Complex Foundation, Box 240, The Pas, MB R9A 1K4 would be appreciated by Colins family. Immediately following the service, everyone was invited to join Colins family for a time of refreshment and fellowship at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall. Honorary pallbearers were all of Colins family and friends. Hemauer Funeral Home, The Pas, were in care of arrangements. 623-3261.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 08, 2002