Obituary of Stewart Duff

Stewart James Duff was born on March 12th, 1922 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan to Charles and Agnes Duff, the 4th of 7 children. He passed away on March 12th, 2009 in East Kootenay Regional Hospital with his family present.

Stewart was a family man and he cherished the time he spent with his family. He was an avid reader and he loved poetry. Stewart was very active and he loved hiking, biking, skating, swimming, diving, and tai chi. Stewart loved horses and dogs.

He was a member of St. George's Masonic Lodge #41 in Kelowna, BC. He delivered Meals-on-Wheels weekly for several years. Stewart grew up in Swift Current and got his education there. At age 15 he joined the 14th Canadian Light Horse and spent the summer training on horseback at Dundurn. In 1942 Stewart volunteered with the RCNVR and served in WWII on four ships; the "Wolf", the Malispina, the HMCS Prince Henry, and sailed the "high seas" on the HMCS Prince David. On December 10th, 1944, while in the Mediterranean, the Prince David hit a mine in Piraeus harbour and escaped catastrophe by a hair's breadth. Stewart was a D-Day veteran. After his discharge from the Navy, he served 10 years in RCAF on numerous bases. He was also chosen by NATO forces to serve in Germany on a NATO airbase. He spent three years there with his family. While home on a leave from the Navy in 1945, he met Pearl Beatty and they were married on July 2nd, 1946. They were married for 62 years. They had 5 children: Rita, Rae, Elaine, Stewart, and Dorothy.

Stewart is survived by his loving wife Pearl of Cranbrook, BC; daughters Rita (Jim) Seright of Calgary, AB, Rae (Rick) Hardy of Cranbrook, BC, Elaine (Gerry) Kopetski of Quesnel, BC, and Dorothy (Greg) Boulton of Cranbrook, BC; his son, Stewart Duff of Cochrane, AB; his 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; his brother, Don (Arlene) Duff of White Rock, BC; sisters Ellen (Ellis) Leach of Cambridge, ON, and Dorothy Anning of Swift Current, SK; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Charles and Agnes Duff, 2 brothers Charles and Den, and 1 sister Margaret. Stewart's funeral service will be held at McPherson's Funeral Chapel, Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations in honour of Stewart to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.Condolences for the family can be offered at:www.mcphersonfh.com