World War II Veteran passed away in Waterloo last week

During the Second World War, Lieutenant Colonel Donald Duke fought with the British Army, then later with the Indian Army. He completed his Engineering degree, and went on to command the country’s largest Base Workshops.

Duke immigrated from India to Canada at the request of his wife in 1966. He joined a U.S. manufacturing company that made F-16 landing gear in Canada. The company eventually relocated to the States, and when offered a position, Duke turned it down.

His son, George Duke, says “he came to Canada, and he loved Canada.”

He completed his Nuclear Board exams in Ottawa, and joined the company Babcock and Wilcox Nuclear Boilers in Cambridge. He didn’t retire from this position until he was 80 years old.

Duke’s 104th birthday was celebrated on December 26, 2016.

“He had a driver’s license,” says his son Geroge, “I think he was the oldest one in Ontario with a driving license at the age of 104.”

“In fact, I’m sure he’s the oldest in all of Canada. He drove his car on Saturday, the day before he died.”

He adds that his father’s license wasn’t set to expire until May 2018.

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