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May 20, 1949 - April 19, 2022
In loving memory ~
With great sadness our family announces that our dear Duane passed away suddenly at home in Victoria, on April 19th at the age of 72. Born and raised in Nanaimo, B.C., Duane was predeceased by loving parents Frank and Thelma (Fee), and oldest brother Tony. He is survived by older brothers Leonard and Michael, and will be dearly missed by nieces and nephews, many cousins, close and lifelong friends.
Duane loved music, travel, theatre and was a wonderful gourmet cook. He had an infectious laugh and terrific sense of humor. He started acting in high school and continued in his college years, performing in stage plays and outdoor theatre.
As a young man he enjoyed adventure and the opportunity to travel. In the fall of 1968, he left for 8-month trip south on the west coast. He told a story of camping in the California desert, waking up face-to-face with a tarantula. Attending Malaspina College soon after its inception, Duane traveled to Britain with their English Literature student's tour for six weeks of study in London and Scotland in 1973.
Duane was an avid reader and researcher. His interest in culture, history and geography made him a great travel companion. His most memorable trips were with his friends Steve and Moe in Hawaii, a tour of Europe with Wendy, getting away with the work gang to Long Beach, and circumnavigating Mudge Island on Dorothy and Pat's Cub sailboat, recounted by a favorite Livingstone quote of Duane's during the exploration, "Up the bloody Zambezi!"
Duane began his career as a childcare counsellor serving the Guthrie Centre that ran from 1976-79. He then moved on as an Employment Counselor at the Ministry of Social Services. He transferred to Vancouver in the mid-80s where he worked in the Ministry of Skills and Labour for seven years before moving to Victoria in 2002. There he worked for the government as Senior Policy Analyst at the Ministry of Human Resources leading up to his retirement. He was well respected in his work and made life-long friends early in his career.
A devoted son and caregiver of his mother, Duane moved to Victoria with her where they lived together for five years until her needs were too great to be met in the home. She moved nearby to Sunset Lodge where he visited her regularly until her passing in 2007. He took memorable trips with Thelma; a Mediterranean cruise, holidays in Mexico, and enjoyed camping in the B.C. interior.
As per his wishes, no funeral service will be held. Duane will be sorely missed, and we are grateful to have had the time we were given to be a part of his life.



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