Staff Sergeant (Ret') Michael Douglas Duncan Reg #31637

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Michael  Douglas "Mike" Duncan, on May 24, 2024 at his home in Orleans, Ontario in the presence of his loving wife, Debbie.

Survived by Debbie, his wife of 46 years, his two sons, Ryan and Andrew, and his brother, Dr. Robert Duncan of Vancouver, B.C.

Predeceased by his father, Douglas (2000) and his mother, Elizabeth (2000).

Born in Fredericton, N.B., on August 20, 1954, Michael was raised in Ottawa and graduated from Canterbury High School amongst a group of friends, who called themselves “Da Boyz” and with whom Mike remained connected for the next 50+ years. 

Mike joined the RCMP in July 1974 and headed for recruit training at Depot Division in Regina.  An ardent chronicler of his life, Mike shared in his writings how challenging he occasionally found recruit training and - as with many recruits - how close he came to quitting. He toughed it out and was transferred to Prince George Detachment in British Columbia in January 1975.  Mike ‘earned his spurs” as a police officer in this northern city and developed a hard-earned reputation as a good investigator.  In Prince George, Mike met his soul mate and the love of his life, Debbie and the two were married in May 1978.

Other postings followed to Hudson's Hope, Prince Rupert, Richmond and Courtenay in various units including General Investigation Section (GIS) and Customs and Excise.  Concurrent with his duties, Mike also began post-secondary studies.  He was sent to the University of British Columbia  full-time for one year and also took classes at Athabaska University.

In 1979, he transferred into the Commercial Crime Section and that became his primary investigative focus.     

Mike excelled at investigating economic crime and developed particular expertise in pursuing counterfeit operations.  After years in the field, Mike was transferred to RCMP headquarters in Ottawa where he eventually became the senior investigator responsible for the RCMP’s national counterfeit currency program.  He travelled extensively internationally and developed strong relationships with law enforcement agencies all around the world that demonstrably benefitted Canada.  

In 2003, Mike retired from the RCMP and began his second career at the Bank of Canada working in the Currency Operations Division.  Mike’s knowledge, experience and demeanour were recognized as great assets by his Bank colleagues.  He is credited with contributing to the Bank’s counterfeit analysis approach for assessing banknote vulnerability, and for aiding in nuturing and developing very positive professional relationships between the Bank and law enforcement communities at home and abroad.

In 2016, after 13 years with the Bank, Mike retired once more, but only briefly.  By 2017, he was working on contract with RCMP within the Personnel Security Branch.  

Deeply proud of the RCMP, Mike had a particular passion for the RCMP’s premier magazine, The Quarterly. He contributed tirelessly to the magazine serving terms as Chair of the Board of Trustees and subsequently as Chair of the Editorial Management Committee; a role he continued to give energy to up to the time of his death. Mike personally wrote many articles and book reviews and worked hard to ensure the magazine continued to publish first-class articles about the life and times of the Force.  He was particularly proud of personally contacting author and retired LAPD Detective Joseph Wambaugh and securing an interview with him by a respected RCMP colleague for The Quarterly.  Michael had the magazine cover featuring Wambaugh framed and he hung it prominently on his office wall.

A gentle giant, relationships were treasured by Mike and no one would ever be a more reliable friend.  He had a great sense of humour, most often self-deprecating, loved nothing more than to tease and to be teased in return. He travelled with a loyal crew for many years to the Barret-Jackson car auctions in Scottsdale, Arizona, and he had a quirky affection for Volkswagens that he loved to indulge.  He was very proud of a substantial collection of vintage Dinky Toys collected over decades and he often shared stories of his search for new additions. 

An inveterate globe trotter, Mike and Deb were looking forward to another river cruise through Europe in the Fall of 2024, and he was actively working with his troop mates to organize a reunion to mark their 50th anniversary of joining the Force. 

Mike was larger than life and he will be deeply missed by all fortunate to have known him and worked with him.

The family is grateful for the urgent assistance and support of the Ottawa Paramedic Service and the Ottawa Police Service on the night of Mike’s passing.

In lieu of flowers, respecting Michael’s devotion to The Quarterly, the family encourages those wishing to subscribe to the magazine and / or to purchase a subscription for a friend.  https://rcmpva.org/thequarterly/#:~:text=Subscribe%20for%20one%20year%20at,Subscribe%20here

A Celebration of Life will be held at Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.  An inurnment will follow immediately at the RCMP National Memorial Cemetery at Beechwood.  The Duncan family welcomes friends and colleagues of Michael to attend the inurnment if they so wish. 

Michael is remembered with respect and gratitude for his service.