Obituary for Duncan Renwick GETTY
Duncan Renwick Getty decided it was time to go on Friday December 11, 2020 at the age of 95 and he did just that.
Born in 1925 in Galt (Cambridge) Ontario as the only child to Thomas Gunning Getty and Ellen Susan (Renwick), Duncan started life with purpose and never faltered. He was going to live a life of service, civility and humour and he accomplished them all.
Duncan married the woman who recognized his infectious spirit and giving heart, Jeanne Anne Banting, who would provide Duncan uncon-ditional love even though he put ketchup on everything he ate. They joined together at the Peacehaven Scout Camp chapel near Drumbo, a chapel that Duncan had helped build during his Galt scouting years and they created a life together for the next 69 years.
That is not the only thing they created! With six children, twelve grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, they also created a legacy and tribute of their life and love. Either that or they wanted a family hockey team.
Duncan was a man who served his country in the RCAF, served in every community he lived in and loved his family through his actions. He was a man of short stature yet could stand so large in a crowd. Duncan listened intently but when he had something to say, he made sure he was heard. He could give the look!
In 1974, Duncan retired from the military life and moved his family to his beloved Peacehaven Scout Camp where he became the custodian for the next decade. It didn’t take long before he was accepted as one of the locals in Drumbo. Duncan had a way of just moseying himself into community and people’s lives to make lasting connections.
The town of Princeton was introduced to Duncan and Jeanne in 1983 but again it did not take long before everyone knew Duncan. Through his service, generosity and quick wit, he quickly became the “Go to guy” for any community events and as the town historian. The children labelled Dunc the “unofficial mayor” and dog owners learned quickly to take a good hold of the leash when they saw Duncan coming. His left pocket was full of Werthers for the kids and his right pocket was full of Milk Bones for the dogs. Jeanne became very resilient about checking his pocket before doing laundry and sometimes she even got paid for her efforts in loose change.
But who was Duncan Getty? Duncan was a man who did not talk about how to live, he just did it. He asked very little for himself but would give unconditionally. He truly saw people and accepted them without judgement. He enjoyed shelled peanuts which irked Jeanne since she was the one that had to clean up his mess. Are you getting the idea of how much he was loved? Dunc never moved faster than he had to because he didn’t want to miss the opportunity to recognize everyone and stop to chat. He showed his children how to live instead of tell-ing them how to and “gosh darn” they all turned out okay.
Duncan, Dad, Pops, Grandpa, cousin, neighbor, friend, by any of the names he was known, what a great guy Duncan was. I smile as I write this because he fulfilled his purpose. He made a positive difference.
Duncan’s family would like to thank all the staff at Woodingford Lodge in Woodstock for their kindness, respect and compassion you shared with us through Pop’s final journey.
Due to Covid restrictions which Duncan refused to become a statistic of because he wanted it his way, Duncan will not have the community send off he desired for his funeral. A celebration of his life will be planned once restrictions are lifted and together we will all be able to breathe safely again.
To honour Duncan, donations to the Princeton Friends of the Park or the Princeton Museum/Library Roof Fund would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to the Glendinning Funeral Home, Plattsville and personal condolences can be posted at www.gffh.ca
Born in 1925 in Galt (Cambridge) Ontario as the only child to Thomas Gunning Getty and Ellen Susan (Renwick), Duncan started life with purpose and never faltered. He was going to live a life of service, civility and humour and he accomplished them all.
Duncan married the woman who recognized his infectious spirit and giving heart, Jeanne Anne Banting, who would provide Duncan uncon-ditional love even though he put ketchup on everything he ate. They joined together at the Peacehaven Scout Camp chapel near Drumbo, a chapel that Duncan had helped build during his Galt scouting years and they created a life together for the next 69 years.
That is not the only thing they created! With six children, twelve grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, they also created a legacy and tribute of their life and love. Either that or they wanted a family hockey team.
Duncan was a man who served his country in the RCAF, served in every community he lived in and loved his family through his actions. He was a man of short stature yet could stand so large in a crowd. Duncan listened intently but when he had something to say, he made sure he was heard. He could give the look!
In 1974, Duncan retired from the military life and moved his family to his beloved Peacehaven Scout Camp where he became the custodian for the next decade. It didn’t take long before he was accepted as one of the locals in Drumbo. Duncan had a way of just moseying himself into community and people’s lives to make lasting connections.
The town of Princeton was introduced to Duncan and Jeanne in 1983 but again it did not take long before everyone knew Duncan. Through his service, generosity and quick wit, he quickly became the “Go to guy” for any community events and as the town historian. The children labelled Dunc the “unofficial mayor” and dog owners learned quickly to take a good hold of the leash when they saw Duncan coming. His left pocket was full of Werthers for the kids and his right pocket was full of Milk Bones for the dogs. Jeanne became very resilient about checking his pocket before doing laundry and sometimes she even got paid for her efforts in loose change.
But who was Duncan Getty? Duncan was a man who did not talk about how to live, he just did it. He asked very little for himself but would give unconditionally. He truly saw people and accepted them without judgement. He enjoyed shelled peanuts which irked Jeanne since she was the one that had to clean up his mess. Are you getting the idea of how much he was loved? Dunc never moved faster than he had to because he didn’t want to miss the opportunity to recognize everyone and stop to chat. He showed his children how to live instead of tell-ing them how to and “gosh darn” they all turned out okay.
Duncan, Dad, Pops, Grandpa, cousin, neighbor, friend, by any of the names he was known, what a great guy Duncan was. I smile as I write this because he fulfilled his purpose. He made a positive difference.
Duncan’s family would like to thank all the staff at Woodingford Lodge in Woodstock for their kindness, respect and compassion you shared with us through Pop’s final journey.
Due to Covid restrictions which Duncan refused to become a statistic of because he wanted it his way, Duncan will not have the community send off he desired for his funeral. A celebration of his life will be planned once restrictions are lifted and together we will all be able to breathe safely again.
To honour Duncan, donations to the Princeton Friends of the Park or the Princeton Museum/Library Roof Fund would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to the Glendinning Funeral Home, Plattsville and personal condolences can be posted at www.gffh.ca