Duncan, John Clifford
August 20, 1938 ~ August 07, 2021
DUNCAN, John Clifford – It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John Clifford Duncan on August 7th, 2021, just thirteen days before his 83rd birthday. John thoroughly enjoyed his time working as a crane operator, and spoke often of the many friends he made throughout his career. He joined the International Union of Operating Engineers in 1957. Often when out for drives with his family, he would point out projects he had the pleasure of working on during his time as a crane operator. John was especially passionate about farming. John kept an impressive collection of model tractors in his office that grew in multiples over the years. He could often be found out checking crops on Petrolia Line, and in his later years, he still found his way to climb up in a tractor or two and was always nearby to pull a wagon when needed. John was an avid traveler, and he and Holly spent many years cruising around the countryside in their motorhome. John always encouraged his kids and grandkids to tag along with them when they could. He was a dedicated family man who over the past years gained a special interest for diving deeper into the roots of the Duncan family tree. John was an excellent storyteller, who always had a way to make you laugh. He never failed to put a smile on anyone’s face, and not once did he ever turn down a good butter tart. We’re quite sure the motor home also made a few stops for an ice cream cone or at a fish and chip truck. His kindness, patience and love for life will live on in his six kids, fourteen grandkids and six great grandchildren. John is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Holly Duncan (nee Phillips). John is the proud father to Mike (Cathy) Unsworth, Reg (Lisa) Duncan, Rod Duncan, Wendy (Rick) O’Hara, Kevin (Jenny) Duncan and Kayleen (Pete) Clubb. Grandpa to Derek, Danny, David (Sabrina) and the late Chad Unsworth, Meghan and Tabitha Duncan and Jacob and Jessica Munday, Jason (Christie) and Nicole (Josh) Duncan, Janessa (Matt) and Jaelyn O’Hara and Duncan and Eric Clubb. Great grandpa to Kaylyn, Ava, Autumn, Austin, Rylee and Jameson. John is survived by his siblings Jackie (Sam) Kay and Rick (Cheska) Duncan, and by in-laws Alice Duncan, Don Metcalfe, Kathy Duncan and lifelong friend Randy (Vinetta) Phillips. John is predeceased by his parents Frank and Gladys (nee Churchill) and by siblings Kenneth Duncan, Betty (Bill) Hackett, Don Duncan, Merlyn – ‘Pork’ (Ann) Duncan, Shirley Metcalfe, Jean (Bob) McDonald, Doug Duncan and Ralph Duncan. John also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished neighbors and friends who will miss him dearly. Many thanks to Dr. Taylor and Dr. Lebert for their care for John over the past few months. A special thank you to Dr. Leonard and the Central Lambton Family Health Team for assisting us in caring for both John and Holly over the past year. A grateful thanks to the staff at CEEH and Lambton EMS – we know John will be forever grateful he was able to make one last trip out to the farm. Thank you to Rev. Deanna Gibson from Brigden United Church for your trips out to see John. He was so fond of your chats and we know he appreciated a familiar voice over the past week. A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Lilly, Amanda S. and the team at St. Joseph’s Hospice for your care and compassion in John’s final days, it felt like home from the moment we walked in the door. In the words of John – ‘thanks a million’
Funeral Details
As per John’s wishes, a private family visitation and service will take place at STEADMAN BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, Brigden with interment to follow at Hillsdale Cemetery, Petrolia.
Donations
Sympathy may be expressed through donation to C.E.E. Hospital Foundation ceehf.ca/, St. Joseph’s Hospice www.stjosephshospice.ca, or Canadian Cancer Society www.cancer.ca/. (Cheques mailed to funeral home).
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Condolences (59)
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Wendy – so sorry to hear about your dad. He sounds like a great one. Condolences…
So sorry Holly to hear of Johns passing. We were friends for many years and I will miss our conversations.
John& Judy Wilson
Wendy, Rick, Janessa and Jaelyn
My deepest sympathy to all.
Reg, Lisa, Meghan & Tabby – Our deepest sympathies!
Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Our deepest sympathies to all the family. Sincerely Ron & Cheryl Saunders
Mike, Cathy and family … we are sad to hear of John’s passing …any time we had the pleasure of running into him we thoroughly enjoyed our conversations .. he always had great stories to tell and loved to share them … our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family … we are sure all the wonderful memories you have will bring you some comfort at this time.
Dear Aunt Holly and family, I was one of the older nieces and had the privilege of knowing Uncle Johnny for many years. The Duncan family had a lot of reunions over my lifetime and it was always enjoyable visiting with family. Uncle John always made me smile and reminded me of my mom so much. I will cherish the memories and keep your smile going. Love Terry, Jim and family
Duncan Family: So sorry to hear of John’s passing. He will surely be missed by many. Enjoy your memories and keep them close to help at this time.
Aunt Holly and family, Alex and I will miss seeing Uncle Johny’s twinkly eyes and hearing his voice tell the many wonderful stories of family. The ache of losing Uncle Johny in this life is felt by our family. Our condolences to the Duncan family.
Wendy, Rick and family – so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Our deepest sympathy on John’s passing. He was great friend to us, and caregiver to Holly.
May treasured memories help ease the pain of your loss.
I’m so sorry to hear of Johnny’s passing. He was a wonderful man and will be missed by so many people. And everyone will definitely miss his “Duncan blue eyes” you are all in our thoughts and prayers 💕🙏
John was one of my favourite customers. I was always happy to see him and his great humor
“Hey Mr Duncan”
“Mr Duncan is my dad you call me John”
Mike, Cathy and Family,
Please accept my sincere sympathies in the loss of your Father.
When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure.
Gloria Van Brabant ❤️
To the Duncan Family.I am very sorry for your loss.Cherish your memories and may they help you through this time of sorrow and days ahead. Nancy Hibbert
Holly & family. My deepest sympathies on the passing of your dear husband, father & grandfather.
Mary Detailleur & family
Holly, and all the Duncan family. So sorry for the passing of John. He was a great guy!!
Sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Mike and Cathy sorry for your loss.
Very sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a truly good man and he will be greatly missed. Deepest condolences to Holly and family.
So so sorry for your loss, condolences to both sides of the family! He will be truly missed!
So very sorry for your loss Rod and family, thinking of you at this difficult time.
Wendy, Kayleen & families,
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Hold your wonderful memories close to help you through the days and weeks ahead. Take care.
Kayleen, so sorry to hear about your dad. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your dear Dad. He sounds like a great fellow and I am sure he will surely be missed.
So sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike Cathy Unsworth Derek Danny and David and the Duncan family we are sorry for your loss you will be in our thoughts and prayers. C Cherish your memories and remember this great man often
Jackie and all the family, so sorry to hear about your loss. We are thinking of you at this difficult time.
Gary and Millie Dobbin
Dear Holly and all family, we certainly enjoyed our visits with John when he came to our office. He had many stories to tell with a twinkle in his eye and a hearty laugh. Blyth and Jimmy were so pleased to have enjoyed living in the house on Maple street. Our hearts go out to all of you who are mourning his passing, we share in your grief. Love the picture of him wish we could have shared a beer with too!
I was sorry to hear of John’s passing. Holly, you will miss him dearly I am sure. l am remembering the two of you always being invited by Don Pierce to go for breakfast after Sunday morning church service. I always enjoyed those morning gatherings. It’s unfortunate that the COVID pandemic has prevented the church people from gathering together for so long. There were many great stories told by John at both the church coffee break time, and the breakfast time afterwards. Rest in peace John. Holly, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this time.
Sincerely, MaryBeth Edgar – organist/choir director at Brigden United Church
Our deepest sympathies to Holly and the families.
Holly, Kayleen and rest oft the Duncan family
Condolences to the whole Duncan family on the passing of John. Our families first meeting goes back nearly 50 years.
Carl & Lena, Ron, Russell, Brenda Nesbitt and families
My condolences to Holly and families, I will miss my chats with John, the waves and his teasing. He was the best neighbour a person could ask for. RIP Johnny. Something tells me there is a cold beer waiting for you.🍺
My deepest condolences to the whole family, John’s conversation will truly be missed!
Connie & Jeff Classen
Our deepest condolences to all the Duncan family. I know my dad David had a great respect for his uncle john. Thoughts and prayers from Tamitha, Adrian, Channing Vaccaro and Quinten Beck.
Very sorry for your loss.
Roselee, Bill, Dave and Ethan long
To the Duncan Family,,we will surely miss seeing John out riding the lawn mower, and a wave has he passed by. Such a wonderful neighbour, enjoyed many chats, over the past 27 years. His smile we will never forget. Thank you for letting us say our good byes to him.
May your memories bring you some comfort in the days ahead.
Rest easy John.❤️
Our Condolences to all the Duncan family.He will be missed by all that knew him.
John was a great man and a great friend.
Marg Foster and family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all …Johnny will be missed…he was such a sweet, gentle man
I’m so sorry to hear about Johnny passing … He was such a sweet man and I’m sure he will be sorely missed …my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
John and Holly will miss your frequent visits a lot of them were spur of the moment ones, or when Holly was getting her hair done, or you were over at Rick and Wendy’s. Enjoyed the family history lessons they were very interesting Going to miss you RIP my brother.
Holly and family.So sorry to hear of your loss.Hugs to you all.Cherish your memories.
Holly & Family
Sincere condolences to all of you on the loss of John. Leslie & I sure did enjoy traveling with John & Holly & our times in Florida. John would say to us with that smile, “We are going to milk the cow, do you need anything from the grocery store?” John & Holly came to visit me a few times with his family tree so we could figure out how we were a bit related. John had lots of patience, He was a great guy & will be missed. Cherish your memories.
Just heared the news about john. John was one of my favorite people in the duncan family. We are so sorry to hear about his passing. Sending our prayers n love. From john great grand kids n the family.
Holly & Family
We were saddened to read of Johns passing .
Such a sweet man with the biggest smile, someone everyone enjoyed being around.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you All at this most difficult time of your lives…..
Sending Sincere Condolences
Sorry to hear of John’s passing, always enjoyed our talks on side of Petrolia line as he checked out his crops, he always enjoyed a drink either in the gazebo or the heated shop and I learned a lot of the Duncan history on his visits, as we live on the original Duncan homestead.
Rest In Peace. You will be missed.
To the entire Duncan family, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I am thinking of you at this difficult time.
May fond memories give you strength at this difficult time. Heartfelt condolences
Holly, Mike, Reg, Rod, Wendy, Kevin, Kayleen and families, I am very saddened to hear of John’s passing. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to each one of you. I know he will be sorely missed.
Aunt Holly and family,
Although Its been a long time since I’ve seen John. I have many fond memories from childhood and will cherish them. I loved being at your house!. Sending condolences and love to you all the ❤
I’m so sorry Lynda to you and your entire family.
To the O’Hara family,
Deepest sympathy to you all on John’s passing. Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Holly and family. So sorry to hear of Johns passing may all the beautiful memories help get yous threw this tough time. He will be missed by all who knew him RIP John
Dear Holly and family! We were so very sad to hear of your loss! John was a good man and always had a ready smile ! Please accept our sincere condolences and may God bring you and your family much comfort, peace and love during this most difficult time. God Bless!
Dear Holly & Family,
May your wonderful memories provide you with some peace during this difficult time. My sincerest condolences to all of you.
Cindy (Fader) Kramer
To Holly and all your Duncan Families, I was so saddened to hear about the passing of John. John was the sweetest man and was so kind he enjoyed chatting , he always had a nice smile . Thinking of you all at this difficult time. Hugs to everyone and Holly as well he will definitely be missed. He worked with my dad when he was a crane operator years ago . Love Always Maureen xoxo
Aunt Holly, Mike, Reg, Rod, Kevin, Wendy, Kayleen,
We’re so sorry for the loss of your father. Please accept our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones during this difficult time.
John was such a kind man and always with a smile, He will be greatly missed. Deepest Condolences to everyone.
Sincere condolences to Holly, and the Duncan family.
I had the pleasure of being Mr Duncan’s neighbour for 20+ years on Petrolia line, and will always remember his kindness and caring heart. He always had a story to share, a big smile and wave, and would always contribute to whatever fundraiser we were pedaling. Sending love and strength to the family during this difficult time.