Obituary of Mervyn Ross DUFFY

December 15, 1923 – September 13, 2011 Mervyn Duffy passed away at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary after a lengthy battle with asbestosis. He is survived by his partner in life Evelyn; sister Donna; son Dale (Gail) and their sons, Travis (Isabelle) and Jarett (Natalie); daughter Terry (Brian) and their children, Nicolle, Joel (Suzy) and Michael; and two great-granddaughters, Jayden and Summer Belle. Merv joined the navy in Saskatoon in January 1942 at the age of 18. He completed his basic training at HMCS Unicorn, Saskatoon and then joined HMCS Galt as an ordinary seaman. He was later promoted to leading seaman at an Asdic rating. Most of his service was on a corvette running from St John’s, Newfoundland to Londonderry, Ireland. He made the “Newfie – Derry” run across the Atlantic 18 times. He took his release and returned to Saskatoon where he worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway as a locomotive fireman and then an engineman. Merv was very talented and had a wide range of interests including; dance band vocalist, square dance caller and teacher, and disc jockey. He sometimes sustained himself by tapping into those talents when he was in between careers. He joined C.N.V.A. in 1992 and was a very active volunteer always available to help. Merv became a very involved member of the Royal Canadian Legion #264 Kensington Branch, attaining the offices of executive member and president. For years he took great pleasure, as entertainment chairman, co-ordinating the branch entertainment. He maintained the status of a branch past president up to 2008. Merv was very proud to have acquired lifetime member status in both the C.N.V.A. and the Royal Canadian Legion. As per Merv’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Calgary Poppy Fund Veterans Food Bank, #1, 4539 – 6th Street N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 3Z6, Telephone: (403) 265-6304. The family wishes to express sincere thanks to Dr. S. O’Keefe for his care and kind attention to Merv. In living memory of Merv Duffy, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.