With great sadness, the family, of Craig Ronnan Duncanson, announces the passing of their father, brother and friend at the Portage & District General Hospital in Portage la Prairie, MB on October 11, 2024, at the age of 63 years.
Craig was born in Wolfville, Nova Scotia on November 22, 1960. During his early years, Craig enjoyed spending time at the cottage at Aylesford Lake in Nova Scotia, the parties in Hortonville surrounded by many friends, enjoying his beer and a puff. Dad loved skidooing, playing softball, hockey and darts (shooting several 180s). He was a HUGE Toronto Maple Leafs fan rarely missing a game on TV. After moving to Manitoba he got to experience his first NHL game with Christopher; it wasn’t the Leafs but he had the time of his life.
Craig began his career in the paving business at an early age working for his father at Basil Duncanson Enterprises, honing his skills as a roller operator. He was one of the best, travelling all over Canada (NS, NWT, ALTA), and ending his career in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba at Meseyton Construction, who were like family to him.
Craig was a very kind-hearted man. He had a great love of family and close friends and would do anything for them unconditionally.
Left to cherish his memory; his son Christopher of Portage la Prairie, his daughter Laura of Wolfville, NS, his faithful and beloved dog Micah, sisters; Janie (Andre) Merks of Gaspereau, Brenda Duncanson of Port Williams, Jacqueline (John) Kelly, and brother Bradford Duncanson all of Toronto, several nieces and nephews, along with special friends Brad Petrie and Shawna Wells.
Craig will be peacefully at rest with his family members; his parents Basil and Beverly, brother Colin, grandparents; Edgar and Agnes Weir, Cyril and Edith Duncanson, who have all gone before him.
Should friends so desire, donations can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Box 2414, Toronto, ON M4P 1E4 or to the charity of choice.
In keeping with Craig’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Craig’s memorial page by using the comment field below.
It is with sadness and very heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Craig on September 27, 2023 at the age of 59. Craig leaves to mourn the love of his life Robin and their two precious dogs Bella and Kenzie. He will be sadly missed by his dad, Robert (“Bob”) Scott, his mom Donna Simpson, brother Blake (Teresa), sister-in-law Debbie, brother-in-law David, nephews Robert (Caralyn), Chad (Susan), and Josh, niece Kaitlyn, former brother-in-law Neil and many extended family and friends.
Craig was welcomed into the world by his parents, Robert (“Bob”) and Donna, on January 22, 1964 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The family then moved to Vancouver, B.C. when Craig was just over a year old, and that is where his brother, Blake, joined the family. They made many return trips to Winnipeg over those years to maintain close relationships with grandparents, uncles, aunts, and numerous cousins. The many summer vacations to Winnipeg eventually led the family to move back to Winnipeg permanently.
Winnipeg is where Craig spent the vast majority of his life. Craig and his family initially moved to the East Elmwood area when they returned to Winnipeg, and then they settled into the Valley Gardens area. He lived there until he and Robin were married, and they made their first home in Garden Grove.
It was in his early childhood years that it became evident that God had provided Craig with the gift of being an exceptional athlete. He had the competitive drive and spirit needed to be a champion and winner. Craig was able to compete at a very high level in whatever sport he chose to participate in during his lifetime.
Sports that Craig participated in included soccer, hockey, baseball, gymnastics, track and field (specifically pole vaulting), basketball, sponge hockey, and diving. Later in life, Craig excelled at golfing and curling.
Early on, it was obvious that Craig had the passion and drive to be both a talented soccer and hockey player. As we all know, Craig took no guff from any of the opponents he encountered, no matter their size or skill. Craig played with many teams over the years, and he considered many teammates to be great friends, maintaining many of those friendships still to this day. Craig took great pride in having played on the Manitoba soccer team that became Canadian Champions when he was sixteen.
It was sports that brought Craig and Robin together when they were both 16 years old. Craig was a pole vaulter, and Robin a sprinter. They met at a provincial track meet and this led to a lifelong relationship that lasted over 42 years which included them being married for over 38 years.
Craig’s passion for hockey continued after his playing days were over, and this led him to coaching. With dedication and enthusiasm, Craig coached high school hockey at Sisler High School during the years that his nephews, Robert and Chad, were playing. Craig shared his knowledge and passion for hockey and sportsmanship with all of the young men he coached over the years.
As we all know, the physical nature of sports took a toll on Craig, and he eventually moved on to another chapter in his sporting adventures. Craig’s love of being active and being involved in sports led him to take up curling and golf, both of which he excelled at and allowed him to maintain his competitive spirit.
In the winter, Craig could often be found at the Granite and Pembina curling clubs. He loved the competition and socialization, and he competed with several teams that led to many friendships over the years. Craig was able to accomplish one of his curling goals by competing in the Manitoba Provincial Championships, Safeway Select in 2012. In addition to his competitive teams, he also enjoyed mixed league curling with Robin and many good friends, most years having played with close friends Pat and Diane. Even at these “fun” games, Craig was still highly competitive and wanted to win. He was also fortunate to have occasionally curled and played hockey with both his dad and brother. Craig often talked about his fond memories of refereeing his dad’s East Elmwood Old Timers hockey team, sometimes even playing as a spare.
Summers were made for golfing, and Craig spent countless hours on the golf course. He was an outstanding golfer and loved to challenge himself by entering municipal tournaments and golfing at various courses around Manitoba. Craig would take every opportunity he could to golf no matter the time or place. Golfing was the perfect sport to do with friends, and many hours were passed on the course having great conversations and friendly competitions. Craig loved talking about his golf games with Pat and many other good friends, and they loved discussing the best shots of the round. Craig recently had a hole-in-one on the 18th hole at Kildonan Park, which is a long par three. His competitive spirit, laughter, and sense of comradery will be greatly missed on the course.
Craig’s love of sports also included watching his beloved Winnipeg Jets, Blue Bombers and golf where, again, his passion and competitive spirt were evident. He was ecstatic when the Winnipeg Jets came back to the city, and he was even happier when he was able join a season ticket holder group that included his dad. Craig and his dad made many memories and had many special times together when they attended home games. If not watching the game in person, Craig, his dad, his brother Blake, and niece Kaitlyn spent their time together screaming and cheering during the Jets games they watched on television. These gatherings occurred in rotation at his dad’s, Blake’s and Craig’s houses.
Craig’s earliest fulltime employment was with Palliser Furniture as an upholsterer. In 1988 he was hired by Air Canada and worked as an aircraft mechanic/finisher for 25 years. Many special friendships were made during his working years.
Following their marriage in 1985, Craig and Robin purchased their first home in Garden Grove. They built their second home in the same area, then built again more recently in North Kildonan. They loved to work on house and yard projects together. No matter what the project vision was, Craig could always build it and Robin would add the finishing touches. They loved to entertain and share their home with family and friends. Many a summer night was spent relaxing in their sunroom. During the day you would often find Craig puttering around in his yard and garage with the radio full blast, or chatting it up with neighbours. He would always make sure the bird feeders were full.
Craig and Robin shared many special trips together (sometimes accompanied by family and friends) to Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Florida, Las Vegas, Banff, Lake Louise, and San Diego where he golfed at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Together, Craig and Robin golfed at some beautiful courses in British Columbia including Silver Tip (Canmore) and Eagle Ranch and Greywolf (Invermere). For Robin’s 40th birthday, Craig took her dogsledding in the mountains of Canmore.
So much enjoyment came just from the simpler things in life shared with Robin, family, and friends….BarBQ’s, bike rides, camping, fishing, a good card game (with a rum and coke), dice games, and all types of music. It was always a treat to meet up with family and friends at his favorite burger place, Sonia’s. Craig loved sitting in the backyard with Robin and their dogs just simply enjoying the fresh air, watching the birds in the feeders, and laughing at the dogs chasing the squirrels out of “their” yard.
Over the years, Craig and Robin have shared their lives and unconditional love with their six shelties, Buddy, Lady, Zak, Zoey and currently Bella and Kenzie. They shared countless walks, trips, snuggles, snacks, and adventures. Over the past 13 years, Craig was Robin’s greatest supporter and fan in her sport of dog agility with both Bella and Kenzie. Craig accompanied them to many competitions and always volunteered his time at events, big or small. Their last “family trip” was out to Maxville, Ontario where Robin and Kenzie competed in the AAC National Dog Agility Championship. Craig was immensely proud of them. Throughout the years, the agility community became a very important part of their lives and is yet another “family” that is pouring their love and support over Robin, Bella and Kenzie during this very difficult time.
Craig has left Robin with countless beautiful memories and personal works of art. In recent years, he began painting and his stunning work now comforts and surrounds Robin in their home. One of Craig’s last projects was his involvement with Canada Connects where his work was used (in conjunction with many other artists across Canada) in the creation of a Nature Mural Mosaic which was unveiled on June 5, 2023 in Fort St. John, British Columbia.
Craig will be sadly missed by Robin, Bella, Kenzie, and all of his family and friends. It is hard to believe that he is gone but in time we will all be together again.
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will occur at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society or the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter.
In the coming days and weeks ahead, Robin will post pictures of fond memories and Craig’s beautiful art work.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Craig’s memorial page using the comment field below.
