Obituary of Albert "Al" E. Duval

Passed away peacefully September 22nd, 2006 surrounded by his family at 85 years of age. He was born June 27th, 1921 in Toronto, ON, to George R. and Georgina (Lightstone) Duval of Birmingham and London, England. He was predeceased by a sister Gertrude, an infant brother Reginald, his dear sister-in-law Anne (Sironen) and her husband Vern Westrop. We know he is now reunited with his beloved wife “Mid” (Mirja Sironen), who passed away in 1980. He is survived by a sister Georgina of Toronto, ON, and nieces and nephews. In Moncton, he leaves daughter Barbara Lyn Duval (Louis Bourque), son Brad Duval (Phyllis) as well as his two grandchildren, Robin Lyn Duval (Jon) of Toronto, ON, and Adam Edward Duval of Halifax, NS, who were the stars in his sky. Dad grew up in Toronto and in his words was “lucky to see all of the big bands and big name singers” at the popular venues of the time such as the Palais Royale Dance Hall and the Top Hat Club, where the Frank Bogart Band played Saturday mornings. Following the music, the gang would stop at Downey Flake DoNut, whose slogan (which he often quoted) was: Whatever you do in life brother Whatever be your goal Keep your eyes upon the Donut And not upon the hole He also liked to reminisce about the days he belonged to the High Park Mineral Baths Swimming Club and also about the fact that he had the fastest bobsled going at the site of the present-day Riverdale Zoo. He was also “the best mouth organ player” with the Dentyne Gum Mouth Organ Band. He attended school at Humbercrest Public, Runnymeade Institute, and Jarvis Institute, all in Toronto. Al officially joined the workforce with Gordon Mackay and Co. of Toronto, a retail/wholesale dry goods company. In 1942, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a wireless radio operator with the Snowy Owl Squadron 6 Group bomber crew flying in both the Halifax and the Lancaster planes in the theatre of war in Europe. Many veterans did not speak of the war with their families, however, Dad was able to share with us the human, sometimes light-hearted side of his experiences, while keeping the darkness to himself. In 1986 he traveled to England to attend the reunion of 4 RCAF squadrons who flew the Halifax bombers based out of Tholthorpe. He proudly displayed his plaque, given to each squadron member from the people of Tholthorpe, upon his arrival home. After the war, Al returned to Toronto and joined Alex Bradshaw and Sons in building the Ross department store chain. He and his buddies often went to Grand Bend beach, where he met the love of his life, Mid. They married in 1947 in Toronto and then moved to Sarnia and subsequently Belleville with Ross stores. In 1956, Al joined the T. Eaton Company in North Bay, Ontario, his most favourite ‘hometown’ of all. Al and Mid had a wonderful life with family and friends here. Summers were spent swimming in Lake Nipissing and fishing with Dad in his much-loved cedar strip boat. Winters were full of skating on the lake, and tobogganing down the huge slide he and the other dads made each year. Subsequent moves with Eaton’s took the family to Ottawa, to Eaton’s head office in Toronto, and to Stratford, his first Eaton’s store as manager. While other managers were having to deal with budget cuts in their social and community perks, Lady Eaton gave Al her shares in the Stratford Golf and Country Club because she so appreciated that he personally organized her accommodations while she attended the Stratford Festival. Dad’s final transfer was to Moncton, NB, in 1965, as one of 4 managers recruited to plan and open Eaton’s Highfield Square. Al was a 25-year member of the Moncton Elks Club. He was a past member of the Lions Club in Sarnia, ON, where he worked on multiple projects for the blind. He was a founding member of the Moncton Jazz Society, and helped bring many notable jazz musicians to the city in the 70’s and 80’s. He also was a member of the Walking Club (Champlain Mall), and a Legion member. Dad always said that he didn’t like cats. Well, a cat named Gulliver changed that! He sincerely loved our parade of pets through the years, from our first dog Kippy, to the present group of 4 cats, 2 dogs, and 1 horse. He was especially fond of Adam’s white Westie, Meghan. Dad was also the original Christmas Elf! As long as there were kids around – didn’t matter how old they were – he was the first up Christmas morning by the tree waiting for everyone. Telephone callers were greeted by a Christmas tune or Santa’s bells and his home was always decorated for the holidays. Music was Dad’s passion – all music, but especially jazz. Interest in one of his ‘newer finds’, the Buena Vista Social Club (a Cuban big band), was shared with Robin, who first brought him their music and story. He was also enjoying learning how to “Google” the internet. After a 20-year absence, Dad went to Toronto on a family vacation last year. He revisited his ‘old’ Toronto, and marveled at all of the new changes. He also went to Trenton, ON, to the Airforce Museum. There he witnessed part of the restoration of an old Halifax bomber firsthand. We will all miss him dearly and cherish the multitude of memories he gave to us over the years. He always said he was lucky to have his family close to him; we were equally blessed to have him with us for these many years. We love you Dad/Bankie/Gramps. High Flight by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds...and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of...wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up, the long, delirious burning blue I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, nor even eagle flew. And while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space... ...put out my hand, and touched the face of God. Cremation has taken place. Private Legion and memorial services will be held for the family. Dad requested any donations be made to a Children’s Hospital or to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. We welcome everyone who knew Dad to join us in a celebration and remembrance reception at Tuttle Brothers Funeral Home, Lutz Street Moncton on Friday, September 30th from 11:30AM to 1:30PM. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Tuttle Bros. Funeral Home, (506) 857-8564. www.tuttlefuneralhome.ca