John Allan 'Al' Dugas
Born In: Alder Point, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Passed on: October 16th, 2010
John Allan 'Al' Dugas of Nanaimo, B.C., passed away Oct. 16, 2010, at 5:46 a.m. at the age of 93.
Al was born to Walter Dugas and Theresa Dugas (Arsenault) of Alder Point, N.S. in 1917. He spent the end of his time with his dear wife Sallyjean Dugas (Connor) in their home in Nanaimo.
Al is survived by three sons, Dan Dugas, Empress, Alta., Bob Dugas (Barbara), Courtenay, B.C., and Gerry Dugas (Dinorah), Burnaby, B.C.; and daughter-in-law, Diana.
Al was predeceased by wife, Patricia Lillian Dugas (Sloan) on Aug. 28, 1995, sisters, Genevieve Gillis, Marguerite O'Shea, Gertrude Walker, Melita Bungay, brothers, Justin Dugas, Reginald Dugas and Gregory Dugas.
Al has 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Al left Nova Scotia at the age of 15 and 'rode the rails' across Canada to Vancouver and was later part of the Great Depression, Relief Camps, and the historical "On to Ottawa" trek of 1935. The trekkers were corralled in Regina by police with machine guns and had the message delivered by the then Prime Minister R.B.Bennett, "tell the boys we'll give them bullets instead of bread."
Al was very fond of boating, camping and travelling. He always had many stories and jokes to share and even in his later days had an amazing memory for names and details. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
The family and friends of Al are having a celebration of his life on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 3511 Osprey Outlook in Nanaimo from 1-4 p.m. A memorial service will take place in Cape Breton at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Nanaimo and District Hospital Emergency Room Foundation, 1200 Dufferin Cres., Nanaimo, B.C., V9S 2B7.
