Joseph CrichtonDUNCANIt is with great sadness that we to say good-bye to Joseph "Joe" Crichton Duncan, our dear father, grandfather, cousin, uncle, great-uncle and friend. Joe was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland and passed away peacefully in Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada.
By his own words, Joe attained a full life in his near-90 years and his spirited stories and generosity are forever missed. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife, Margaret Craig Duncan (2011), brother William (Liam) Duncan (2012), mother Agnes (Nancy) Estlick Duncan (2001) and father William (Bill) Duncan (1997), all of Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland.
Joe is survived by his daughters, Denise Duncan Logan and Claire Duncan Lofgren, son-in-law Eric Lofgren and grandsons Jacob Duncan Lofgren and Hunter Courtney Lofgren, all of Crofton, BC, Canada. Joe was proud of his British and Canadian citizenship, and his fondness for Scotland never left him. Joe leaves behind cherished memories with his dear sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family in Paisley, the UK and around the world.
At 15, Joe graduated from John Neilson Institute in Paisley and began training as Marine Radio Operator on the Firth of Clyde, serving on Merchant Marine vessels from 1953 on the world's oceans and contributing radio communications for marine piloting, trade and rescue missions. In 1958, Joe emigrated from Scotland to Canada, landing in St. John, New Brunswick. His financée Margaret joined him at the Port of Montréal, where they married and raised their 2 daughters enjoying life together across Canada in Québec, Alberta and British Columba.
In 1988, Joe and Margaret built their seaside home in Crofton, British Columbia where Joe, aka VE7DWD and VA2DB, a life-long amateur radio operator, ran his own business Marineland Electronics, providing service to the local marine industry, fishing and recreational boaters. Joe built his own steel-hulled trawler, MV Hirta on which he and Margaret enjoyed 'gunkholing' around the beautiful Gulf Islands of the Salish Sea. Joe's sea-faring adventures in retirement took him from Vancouver Island to Trinidad & Tobago and Gibraltar, Spain, crewing on a 70' sailing vessel. Joe will be remembered for his welcoming radio voice and making friends easily around the world.
To celebrate Joe's life, family and friends gathered at Joe & Margaret's Family home and on-line in Crofton-by-the-Sea on October 4, 2025, sharing stories and poems from Joe's favorite bard, Robert Burns. Highland Piper, Darroch Baillie kindly piped Joe's favorite Scottish tunes to help say farewell. Joe's ashes are laid "at sea" in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland and the Salish Sea in Canada. Joe's family is grateful to his dear friends and care providers in his final year.
"Lang may yer lumm reek" ("Long may your chimney smoke") was Joe's wish for you!
If you would like to support Joe's legacy, on the air waves and on the seas, please consider supporting local Pipe bands, Amateur (Ham) Radio clubs, Coastal Pilotage training programs or Marine Search and Rescue stations.
Keep me informed of updates
