Daniel Patrick Duke

Daniel Patrick Duke, better known as Dan, The Duke, Rocktopus Prime, Uncle Buttons, and so many other terms of affection, abruptly left us on June 2, 2025. A legend wherever he went and to all he knew, he has left a part of himself with friends and family, creating a world where friends were family and family were friends. And so, it would be impossible to mention everyone he loved or who loved him. But as a start, his mother Catherine (Cathy/Cath) and father Patrick (Pat) along with brothers Guy and Matthew (Matt) and sisters-in-law, the Sarahs, have endless memories to revel in and help heal the devastation of knowing there will be no more. Additionally, he loved few things more than goofing around with his nieces and nephews Brittany, Keegan, Aidan, Sky (Adam), Gwen, and Lachlan as well as his grand-nieces and nephews Tyler, Caroline, Jack, and Forrest. His many cousins – Heather, Kara, Monica, Andy, Tina, Patrick, David, Steven, Greg, James, Hilary, John, Megan, Luke, Roxanne, Ian, Daniel, Sparrow, and Evan – aunts and uncles – Ken and Laurie, Louise, Lorraine and Pat, Bob and Brenda, Joanne and Grant, Bill and Tina, Mike and Tannus, Barbara and Sterling, Judith and Brian will also sorely miss him. He married Shannon Martin on April 6, 2008, and though they were no longer together, their lives were forever intertwined. Other forged family include Lisa, Collier, Margot, Miranda, Mary, Brodie, Frances (Sarah), Kara, Bryan, Jaidyn, Jim, Karri, Will, Roland, Len, Leeanne, and so many in Parkdale it would be impossible to list them all. He has joined his grandparents William (Bill), Joy, Alexander (Alex), and Rita, aunt Jane, and uncles Alan, Ron, and Frank in our memories.

Born in Calgary on April 19, 1972, he brought home with him wherever he went, from Edmonton to Penhold, Kelowna, and Kamloops, back to Calgary, to Vancouver, Hamilton, and, finally, Toronto. A casual poet and underrated cook, Dan’s world revolved around generosity and his gregarious personality. Quick to share a smoke, tell a joke, or slip into a ridiculous debate, hanging out with Dan always involved music and he could mix every drink under the sun (but preferred his beverages simple: Jägermeister or a beer, a nice whisky for special occasions). With a love of the absurd, an easy camaraderie, and a laser sharp wit, Dan was always a joy to be around. Even the most serious of discussions would be punctuated with laughter. He fiercely loved his friends and family, but also his hockey team, the Vancouver Canucks, who he unfortunately never got to witness win a championship.

Memorial gatherings will take place in Calgary (TBD), Toronto(June 18, The Rhino, 4:00pm), and Vancouver (July 7, time/place TBD). In lieu of flowers, please support the Jim Henson Foundation. And, of course, always generously tip your server.

Who said that every wish 

would be heard and answered

when wished on the morning star?

Somebody thought of that

 and someone believed it.

Look what it's done so far

What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing

and what do we think we might see?

Someday we'll find it,

the rainbow connection,the lovers, the dreamers and me.

– Kermit the Frog, Rainbow Connection

I suddenly understood that for all that is lost and cannot be recovered, what remains is love, and by love we carry on.

– Isa Milman, Afterlight: In Search of Poetry, History and Home