Duncan George Napier

To Skylar, Sophie & Mac,
May Duncan's life memories be always sacred to you.
An ode to Duncan my cousin, this is my memory of you that goes back some 30 years + … I write this in a church in Singapore just before the passion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, as I sit in church here Duncan’s memory stands so vivid in my heart and mind. We were young when we spent numerous years of our childhood together with Alec, Uncle George and Dolly. Most of these memories are of Duncan in Singapore and much of Duncan in Canada I did not know …I used to stay with them during holidays … the cherished memories of kampong soccer with the Malay boys in the early eighties I played with Duncan … wearing no shoes he and I would take in the mud and wet grass trying our bestest to beat the Malays at 2 aside soccer. Bird watching was a regular outing for the Napier family and I was to be a big part of it when I stayed with them during the school holidays. Duncan’s subtle personality extended beyond himself always and I was so happy to see him at my mum and dads' 50th wedding anniversary in Sept 2018 and was so happy to see he had not changed one bit over the long years he was in Canada. He had said to us that it might be the last time he would see us in person … and I began to wonder if this was true because surely we are still fairly young and this is not the end ? But that question was answered lately …and this recollection was extremely hard to take as we shared a strong childhood bond. I had the honour to meet Sophie in Kuala Lumpur and it was uncanny that she had a lot of Duncan’s gift of traits. Duncan is gone now and feel a part of ourselves that shared his life has gone. But you hold on to the memory of him which transcends the test of time and we keep it sacred. As your family in Singapore and Malaysia - We love you and we lift your spirit up to our lord Jesus Christ. Eternal rest grant unto him oh lord and may perpetual light shine upon him. RIP. Our love always Aunty Rosemary & Uncle Rob, Ian, Jason, Cindi, Nikita and Naomi Tessensohn, Singapore .

Duncan was appreciated by everyone in the Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry and the technology community at Simon Fraser University. We have missed his calm and unassuming presence. You can hear these positive feelings by viewing the MBB testimonials to him when he took medical leave https://vault.sfu.ca/index.php/s/N594jO7009T1uEB (view with Firefox if you don't want to download it).

So sorry to hear of Duncan's passing. He was a sweet gentle guy who was a pleasure to work with. I also fondly remember spending hours chatting with him about Singapore, a place we had both lived in.

Selamat Jalan Duncan

I was sadden to hear of Duncan's passing. He is gone far too soon and my heart goes out to all his family, friends and former colleagues. I worked with Duncan at SFU. He always had smile and was so helpful and patient! The best IT help I have ever experienced. He left very big shoes to fill in MBB and will be sorely missed. I will think of him often- every time I pass by his old office. I hope knowing he was loved and appreciated brings a little bit of peace to his family.

I was very sad to hear of Duncan’s passing. I have also been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and joined Paul’s Club about a year ago. When I met Duncan, I immediately felt at ease there. His knowledge of fun facts and trivia was remarkable, and he always found a way to relate to everyone. Duncan was my main walking partner on our outings at Paul’s Club. We both like to laugh, and got along very well. I think we truly enjoyed each others’ company. I will miss Duncan’s easy smile and intellect, and our many conversations. There is truly no one like him.

First, my heart goes out to Duncan's family and other loved ones over your incredible loss. I won't probably be able to convey this enough, but he was a very special person.
Duncan was an absolutely key member of our SFU MBB department, leading IT, for many years. He was a wonderful soul who was so caring, friendly, patient (important when troubleshooting IT :) ), smart, efficient, knowledgeable and thoughtful. I was always so impressed at how he would bike up to SFU - rain or shine or whatever! He inspired me to do more! I had many great chats with him over hallway meetings (usually with his cycling clothes on) and lunches a bunch of us would have with him on Thursdays. His intellect and warmth is not forgotten. He’s very missed. His wise words though will remain in my thoughts.

It is with overwhelming sadness that we are writing this. We are so sorry to know the pain that Skylar and her children are experiencing. We first met Duncan (who was mainly lounging very relaxed on the floor) and Toby on Zoom in 2020.

We finally met in the flesh in June of 2020. He was instantly at home at Paul’s Club. He thrived in our social and recreational program. He made real friendships and he became incredibly popular. He epitomized graciousness and kindness. His courage was unbelievable. In spite of his intellect he was always so humble and down to earth.

It was a privilege and a lot of fun to have spent some of the last nearly three years with Duncan. He was and will remain an inspiration for us.

We miss him.

Fondly, Nita, Michael, Chelsea and Augie
Paul’s Club

Dear Skyelar, Sophia and Mac
We send our deepest condolences. Duncan will be missed. He will live on in our thoughts and memories. There is a quote that I love "As long as there is one person on earth who remembers you, it isn't over" Say his name often and smile with the wonderful memories he has gifted you and your family.
much love,
Giselle and Dan

So sad to hear your passing.
You were such a great guy you'll be sorely missed.

It is with great sadness that we write this obituary about our beloved Duncan (Dunky, to me). Chris and I are so tremendously grateful that we had the opportunity to see Duncan and Sophia in Malaysia at our Aunt and Uncle’s 50th wedding anniversary. We love you Duncan- an inspirational and brilliant man of action and adventure taking on a second Master’s for ‘fun,’ ice skating at City Hall in Toronto, and sending great photos of your good times with Toby. We are blessed to have known you and call you cousin and friend. I wish Skylar, Mac, Sophia, Kiernan, Toby, and Lucy our deepest condolences. Remember to celebrate the life and not to dwell on the death. He came to us loved and he left loved. It is a privilege to know you Duncan.

So sad to hear about Duncan. I remember Duncan well from our Waterloo days, roommates in Ottawa during a work term. I’ve thought of him often. We enjoyed a great hiking trip together in Algonquin Park. I remember a fisher wandering through our campsite one evening, getting too close to a cow and calf moose, and having a great horned owl land in a tree close to where we sat one evening. He was a great guy.

My deepest condolences to Duncan’s family
To my little Duncan Rest In Peace
I will always remember him as the little boy Auntie Charm used to take to the ‘mama’ shop when I came home from Uni in Singapore to buy him some treats
I am so glad to see him grown up as a father in KL in 2019
Always remembered

Dearest Skylar, Sophie,Mac
Growing up in Singapore & our times together in Canada with Duncan has left me with wonderful memories that will be cherished always. Our deepest condolences & Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for all you did for him. We have another star in our universe & he's now with family who went before him. What a fabulous guy. It's been such a privilege to have seen him grow up to become this wonderful guy with a beautiful family.

I am glad Duncan is not suffering and I am full of admiration of how the Napier family was able to provide Duncan with a decent quality of life, right up to the end. It's such a shock when you lose someone you grew up with, in such an untimely fashion. I will take it as a reminder to do the best to enjoy my life to the fullest, however long or short that may be. Well Duncan, I guess we will see you on the other side.

Marko

So sad to hear Duncan has gone glad Mike and I visited him when we went to BC in 2020. Skylar, Sophie, Mac Alec and Alisa sorry for the loss of a brilliant husband, father, brother and uncle. Thinking of you at this sad time.

Alison and Mike

Dearest Skyelar Sophie and Mac we send our deepest condolences on the passing of our beautiful Duncan cousin.We were so happy to have reconnected with Duncan and had the pleasure of meeting Sophie too in KL. The miles had separated us but the love of family near and far will always remain along with the memories of what an amazing young man he was. Rest in Peace our Dearest Duncan now together forever with Uncle George and Dolly and all the family gone before us. Sending love and keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers♥️🙏

May our Duncan RIP with our Lord and the Angels Up Above, He is now with our Darling Ruth,his sister, and his parents and all loved ones who led the path to Heaven for him.
All.our prayers are for him and his Family