Duff, William ("Bill") Lawrence (1927 - 2014) - At Sussex Health Centre in Sussex, NB at age 87, Bill lost a brief but courageous battle with cancer on March 25th, his devoted wife Pauline and family at his side. He was born in Lewisville, NB on Valentine's Day 1927, the son of Leslie and Annie Duff (née Tait). With the sudden passing of his father in 1944, Bill went to work at the age of 17 to help support his family. Bill was a dedicated employee. He enjoyed a progressive 35-year career with NBTel and continued on as a long standing member of the Telephone Pioneers of Canada. He retired in 1980 to Cedar Camp, NB only to be invited by CIDA to help lead a telephone system installation project in Antigua. He and Pauline enjoyed the Caribbean immensely, so when the project wound up and CIDA asked him to take on another project in Grenada, he and Pauline said... "sure, why not?". After 5 years in the Caribbean they spent the following years making the Shangri-la goat farm their little piece of heaven on earth, tending to bountiful gardens, breeding prize winning dairy goats and conquering the many challenges of 'Duff Mountain'. Each spring, his greenhouse would blossom with new life and Bill took great pleasure in offering family, friends, neighbours and even complete strangers herbs, flowers and vegetables for transplant. Bill loved to work with his hands, his oil painting, his workshop, his gardens, his animals and working in the woods with Lady (his faithful Blue Tick Heeler)... but most of all, Bill loved his family. The annual ritual of Boxing Day on the Shangri-la farm drew his children and their growing families for decades. A selfless soul, even during Bill’s brief illness his main concerns continued to be the well being of his family and the service of others.

The family would like to thank our many neighbours and friends who have been so kind and helpful these past two months. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Patrick Sullivan for his compassionate care, and to the extramural nurses and palliative care team of the Sussex Health Centre.

Bill was predeceased by his parents and by his sisters Ivah Barnaby, Marjorie Wade and Phyllis MacKenzie. He is survived by Pauline (née Salmon) his wife of 45 years, one sister Gwendolyn Bray (Moncton), sons Stephen (Trish) of Fall River, NS and Jeffrey (Sue) of Saint John, NB, daughter Kim (Lorne) Blagdon of Wirral, NB, grandchildren Naomi, Jordan, Nathan, Michael, Corey and Nicole, great grandson Sebastian and several nieces and nephews.

Interment will take place at Elmwood Cemetery in Moncton, NB at a future date following cremation. A celebration of Bill's life will take place at Saint John’s United Church, Sussex Corner, NB on Saturday, April 12th at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Sussex Health Centre Foundation, 75 Leonard Drive, Sussex NB E4E 2P7.