In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

 

Allan Ferguson Duffus

 

Lieutenant-Commander, O-20970, RCN(R)

 

Died: 16 Oct 1997, Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

DUFFUS, Allan Ferguson - Waverley, formerly of Bedford, died October 16, 1997, in his 83rd year at QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax. Born in Halifax, he was a son of the late Col. Allan W. and Gwen Duffus. Dr. Duffus was a well-respected architect who received many honors, such as the Nova Scotia Association of Architects Lifetime Achievement Award, honorary fellow of the American Institute of Architects and honorary doctor of engineering from TUNS. He was actively involved in a wide variety of architectural commissions over the years since establishing his practice in 1946. As a founding partner of the firm, Duffus, Romans, Kund-zins and Rounsefell Ltd., he was responsible for a number of projects in the fields of housing, churches, academic facilities, offices and institutional buildings. More specifically, he was partner in charge of such design commissions as the School for the Deaf in Amherst, the Nova Scotia Museum and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax. He was also responsible for the design and completion of the east front of the Cathedral of All Saints. As a longtime member and past president of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia and one of the founding members of the Landmarks Commission of Halifax, Dr. Duffus took an active part in the field of restoration and preservation. He also served as governor of Heritage Canada from 1974-79. His firm was engaged in and prepared the successful development proposal for the restoration of Halifax's old waterfront area, which became known as Historic Properties. He was also partner in charge of restoration of Robertson Hardware Building, which is part of the Maritime Museum complex. Upon his retirement from the firm in 1980, he set up a consulting business in conservation and worked on such projects as Greenwood Cottage in Sherbrooke and the Windsor Junction Railway Station. From 1984-91, he worked as a special consultant in conservation, both for his son on such projects as Province House, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and the Old Town Clock on the Citadel, and independently for St. George's Church. Dr. Duffus had a keen interest in the churches of Nova Scotia and co-authored "Thy Dwellings Fair" and contributed to "More Stately Mansions", published in 1982 and 1983. His keen interest in saving historic buildings engaged his attention and persistence over the last eight years in saving Scott Manor House and its historic site in Bedford. Dr. Duffus was educated at King's College School in Windsor, Dalhousie University in pre-engineering and McGill University (1933-38) in architecture. He was a Fellow and past president of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and past president of Nova Scotia Association of Architects. He was a founding member and past commodore of the Bedford Basin Yacht Club, a life member of Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron and a longtime member of the Halifax Club. Surviving are his wife, Carol Duffus, Waverley; son, Graeme Duffus and wife Pamela Piers, Halifax; daughters, Sylvia Duffus, Edmonton; Roslyn Duffus, Waverley; Heather Gayler and husband Trevor Gayler, Halifax; grandsons, Joshua and Benjamin. He was predeceased by his brother, Andrew MacKinlay Duffus and sister, Katherine Duffus. Visitation 2-4, 7-9 p.m. Sunday, October 19, in Snow's Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor St., Halifax. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, October 20, in Bedford United Church, Rev. David Hart officiating. Burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to QEII Health Sciences Centre or Bedford United Church. (Halifax Chronicle-Herald 18 Oct 1997)

 

Ships served in:

HALIFAX DIVISION RCNVR (RCN BARRACKS) -  Attached as a Prob. SLt, RCNVR (Navy List Sep 1942).  Appointed SLt, RCNVR (seniority 09 Nov 1942) (Navy List Mar 1943)

HMCS KINGS - Served in Kings in 1942 (The Nauticapedia)

HMCS PROTECTOR (Depot Ship Sydney) - Appointed to Protector 01 Apr 1943 as a SLt, RCNVR (Navy List Aug 1943)

HMC DOCKYARD HALIFAX - Appointed to HMC Dockyard Halifax 01 Sep 1943 as a SLt, RCNVR (Navy List Oct 1943)

HMCS SAULT STE MARIE - HMCS SAULT STE MARIE - Appointed to Sault Ste Marie 05 Jan 1944 as a Lt, RCNVR (seniority 09 Nov 1943) (Navy List Feb 1944).  Seniority backdated of 09 Nov 1942 (Navy List May 1944)

* Retired List as a Lt, RCN(R) (seniority 09 Nov 1942) (Navy List Apr 1946)

HMCS SCOTIAN (Retired List) - as a LCdr, RCN(R) (seniority 09 Nov 1950 (Navy List Jul 1952).  Last noted on the Retired List at HMCS SCOTIAN as a LCdr, RCN(R) (Navy List Jan 1960)

 

Wedding announcement for Carole E. Hendry, WRCNS to Allan F. Duffus, RCNVR

Halifax Herald 21 Jul 1945

(Source: The Memory Project)

 


 

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