Douglas Robert Duncan passed away on September 25, 2012 of natural causes. He passed away in comfort at his home that he loved so much overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Redondo Beach, CA. On August 30, 1923 Douglas was born to Dorothy Smith and Robert Duncan in London, England. He attended Buckingham Gate School which is located near Buckingham Palace where, as a child, he loved to watch the changing of the guards. In 1939, as a young man of 16, Douglas joined the Home Guard of England where he was trained to protect his native England. During the blitz of London his home was bombed and the family moved to Croydon, England. In 1941 at the age of 18 he enlisted in the Royal English Navy where he trained to be and became a radio officer. He served until 1944 when his ship was torpedoed and destroyed in the Northern Atlantic. Having been rescued by the Norwegian Navy, he served as a radio officer and translator for the Norwegians until the end of the war in 1945. Returning to England Douglas travelled extensively thru Europe and the United States. In England he worked for the accounting firm of Black Geoghegan and Till as an auditor from 1946 until 1951. Moving to Montreal, Canada, he worked for the Steel Company of Canada as Assistant Sales Manager until 1962. During this time he met Joan Elizabeth Crossley whom he married in 1953 and their son Robert was born in 1955. In December of 1962 Douglas and Joan were finally granted their Visas to come to the United States and relocated to Santa Monica, CA. In 1963 he obtained a job with Newton Insert Co. as Vice President of marketing and upon moving to Redondo Beach CA in 1967 went to work with Tridair Industries until 1969. He became a partner in Bar Automatics in Los Angeles, CA (1969-1970) and then partnered with Rush Associates (1970-1971). On September 1, 1971 Douglas and his son Robert founded M S Inserts and Fasteners Corporation, where he remained active until his death. The company is currently located in a 33, 000 sq. foot building in Torrance CA. From an early age, when he would build and sail model boats in the parks of London, he developed a love for the sea and boats and especially sailing. He owned several boats over the years. His favorites were his Dragon Class racing sloop " Nike", a power boat Owens 30 "Ship of Fools" and his Morgan 36 sailboat " Seahawk". Douglas became a member of King Harbor Yacht Club in 1968 and is still currently a member. He enjoyed reading, music, travel, history and art and was always seeking world knowledge. Douglas is survived by his son Robert James Duncan and his daughter- in-law Nancy Meria Duncan of Redondo Beach Ca. His many employees loved him and thought of him as a father and mentor. He will be missed by all who knew him. A Memorial service and reception will follow on Friday October 5, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Rice Mortuary Torrance, CA.
Your dad had a practical and crusty view of homeowner association activities , and he was never afraid to make his views known. I did not know him well but found him to be insightful and persistent, often championing ideas that were real but not acknowledged. I loved looking up into his windows from the deck below, where snippets of art and exotic collections seemed to make a telling statement about his depth and appreciation for good things.
Doug was truely an inspiration. He had great interest in business and collectables. Best wishes to Bob and may you continue in his big footsteps. Aloha, Wally & Kathy Parcels, Honolulu, Hawaii.
He was a husband, father, mentor and wonderful friend. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to meet and get to know Douglas. This happened because I married James (Jamie) Shaw. He has worked for Douglas for almost 30 years. I remember our first meeting. I felt like I had to pass his test to date Jamie:) I did and Douglas came to our wedding. I loved going into the office and seeing him. He shared wonderful stories of his life, history, books and his thousand trinkets he obtained throughout his lifetime. It never was boring. I will miss my walks through the building with him, I will miss my talks, and I will miss him looking for me in the ocean swimming by his place. I’d like to think he is still here and when I look up at the stars I’ll see his beautiful face smiling and laughing. Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without affect, without the trace of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same that it ever was. There is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well. ~ Henry Scott Holland RIP Douglas, We love you. Jamie, Carolina, and Dakota Shaw
Doug, you will be deeply missed. You were a wonderful, funny, loving, giving man and I will never forget you. You gave me my first job when i was only 12, and here I am back over 20 yrs later. Thank you for everything. xoxo love Tasha
I only knew Doug for a short while and have came to highly respect the man, I can see that he was a very deeply love by all friends and family, I pray for all those who where very close to him in the trying time, God Bless
Doug, it was my pleasure to know you, and work for you. Thank you for the opportunity. We will all continue to work hard for you. Hope we will make you proud. You will truly be missed by all. Love, Delores
Doug these past 36 have been have been great. you have been a great boss, friend and mentor, You were always there when I needed help and you always made me feel like family. I will miss you. R.I.P Carol
I’ve known Doug for over 30 years. He was a great boss, friend and a mentor to me. I will always cherish the wonderful times and talks we shared. Thank you for being part of my life. You will be deeply missed and forever in my heart. Love,Suzanne xoxo
Doug, It has been a pleasure working for you for the past 5yrs I will miss the many more stories you had to tell and I will not forget the ones you did. It never failed any time I would walk into your office you always had either a story to tell me or a joke and boy were your jokes funny! I miss telling you good night every evening as you walked to your car bundled up in your coat with your hat and your brief case and you would say ta ta with a smile on your face. You will remain in my heart and truly be missed. With Love, Julie XOXO
Doug, you will always hold a special place in my heart, knowing you for over 26 years you have been a great boss and friend you will be deeply missed and never forgotten!! xoxo Nanny
Doug, Thank you for opportunity to work for you again. I have come and gone over the years, and i have to say i have enjoyed working for you the most. I wil miss you. Love Suzan
Sad day today as I say goodbye to someone who was such a special part of my life. I worked for him for 24 years, he was a teacher, a mentor and such a great personal part of my life. He gave each of us a piece of himself that was so sincere and honest. He will be missed by many but especially by those who knew him best and got to spend time with him outside of the business world. R.I.P. Douglas. Love Avis hugs and kisses
Doug, I am grateful for the time I have had to know you and for the wisdom that you have shared. You, and the stories you told, will truly be missed. Cheers Sir.
Doug It has been a pleasure to work for you for the past 13 years. you will be deeply missed by everyone. Thank you for everything Rest in Peace Debbie
Doug, You where a truly special person. Thank you for letting me work for your company. I will miss you and the stories you shared. I will see you in heaven when I get there. Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard His call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, I’ve found that peace at the end of the day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah, yes, these things too I will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My Life’s been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one’ touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free. Love Always Carleta
Doug, It was a pleasure to have worked for such a wonderful carring person.. I thank you for the support and advise you gave me through out the 10 years that I got to know you. You will be missed.. Love, Maria Arceo
Doug, It was a pleasure working here for the past 8 years and I am happy to have met you on my first visit there. I will miss hearing your voice calling the branch and asking for “Michael please”. I’m going to the temple tonight with my family. I will pray for you and light an inscent for you to rest peacefully. Thank you for everything you’ve done. You will be missed….
I had the opportunity to work for Douglas in the mid 80s for 4 years, my respect for him is immeasurable. The endless life stories he shared with me and words of wisdom I will never forget. God Bless him and his family, may he rest in peace.
I went to school with Robert his Son, I had no father so Doug was very kind to me as was Robert, And Joan. They always made sure I had a good meal, and we all laughed all the time.Especially the time Robert accidentlly hit his Dad with a Dart, that stuck in his shoulder. Robert’s relationship with his father was amazing. Like two Bulldogs, both males. Doug owned a boat the boat that once that belonged to the Rolling Stones, he would give me access to the boat, which was about 50 feet from the Red Onion restaurant. Fun times. I just learned about his Passing today. Hurt my heart. I have not seen him in 43 years, that should tell you what kind of man he was. Robert and I, in that 1964 Riviera going to High School. Robert helped me work on my car one day, the car fell on me breaking my arm, when The family found out they could not do enough for me, I was the Kid from the other side of the tracks. I remember their kindness most.Some people touch our lives in ways they never know.
Your dad had a practical and crusty view of homeowner association activities , and he was never afraid to make his views known. I did not know him well but found him to be insightful and persistent, often championing ideas that were real but not acknowledged. I loved looking up into his windows from the deck below, where snippets of art and exotic collections seemed to make a telling statement about his depth and appreciation for good things.
Doug was truely an inspiration. He had great interest in business and collectables. Best wishes to Bob and may you continue in his big footsteps. Aloha, Wally & Kathy Parcels, Honolulu, Hawaii.
He was a husband, father, mentor and wonderful friend. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to meet and get to know Douglas. This happened because I married James (Jamie) Shaw. He has worked for Douglas for almost 30 years. I remember our first meeting. I felt like I had to pass his test to date Jamie:) I did and Douglas came to our wedding. I loved going into the office and seeing him. He shared wonderful stories of his life, history, books and his thousand trinkets he obtained throughout his lifetime. It never was boring. I will miss my walks through the building with him, I will miss my talks, and I will miss him looking for me in the ocean swimming by his place. I’d like to think he is still here and when I look up at the stars I’ll see his beautiful face smiling and laughing. Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without affect,
without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolutely unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you,
for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just around the corner.
All is well.
~ Henry Scott Holland
RIP Douglas, We love you. Jamie, Carolina, and Dakota Shaw
Doug, you will be deeply missed. You were a wonderful, funny, loving, giving man and I will never forget you. You gave me my first job when i was only 12, and here I am back over 20 yrs later. Thank you for everything. xoxo love Tasha
I only knew Doug for a short while and have came to highly respect the man, I can see that he was a very deeply love by all friends and family, I pray for all those who where very close to him in the trying time,
God Bless
Doug, it was my pleasure to know you, and work for you. Thank you for the opportunity. We will all continue to work hard for you. Hope we will make you proud. You will truly be missed by all. Love, Delores
Doug these past 36 have been have been great. you have been a great boss, friend and mentor, You were always there when I needed help and you always made me feel like family. I will miss you.
R.I.P
Carol
I’ve known Doug for over 30 years. He was a great boss, friend and a mentor to me. I will always cherish the wonderful times and talks we shared. Thank you for being part of my life. You will be deeply missed and forever in my heart.
Love,Suzanne xoxo
Doug,
It has been a pleasure working for you for the past 5yrs I will miss the many more stories you had to tell and I will not forget the ones you did. It never failed any time I would walk into your office you always had either a story to tell me or a joke and boy were your jokes funny! I miss telling you good night every evening as you walked to your car bundled up in your coat with your hat and your brief case and you would say ta ta with a smile on your face.
You will remain in my heart and truly be missed.
With Love,
Julie XOXO
Doug, you will always hold a special place in my heart, knowing you for over 26 years you have been a great boss and friend you will be deeply missed and never forgotten!! xoxo Nanny
Doug,
It has been great working for you for the past 15 yrs.
You have been very kind to me as well as a great boss.
You will be missed by many !!!!!
Doug,
Thank you for opportunity to work for you again. I have come and gone over the years, and i have to say i have enjoyed working for you the most. I wil miss you.
Love Suzan
Sad day today as I say goodbye to someone who was such a special part of my life. I worked for him for 24 years, he was a teacher, a mentor and such a great personal part of my life. He gave each of us a piece of himself that was so sincere and honest. He will be missed by many but especially by those who knew him best and got to spend time with him outside of the business world. R.I.P. Douglas. Love Avis hugs and kisses
Doug, I am grateful for the time I have had to know you and for the wisdom that you have shared. You, and the stories you told, will truly be missed. Cheers Sir.
Doug
It has been a pleasure to work for you for the past 13 years. you will be deeply missed by everyone. Thank you for everything
Rest in Peace
Debbie
Doug,
You where a truly special person. Thank you for letting me work for your company. I will miss you and the stories you shared. I will see you in heaven when I get there.
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard His call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I’ve found that peace at the end of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah, yes, these things too I will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My Life’s been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one’ touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.
Love Always
Carleta
Doug,
It was a pleasure to have worked for such a wonderful carring person.. I thank you for the support and advise you gave me through out the 10 years that I got to know you. You will be missed..
Love,
Maria Arceo
Doug,
It was a pleasure working here for the past 8 years and I am happy to have met you on my first visit there. I will miss hearing your voice calling the branch and asking for “Michael please”. I’m going to the temple tonight with my family. I will pray for you and light an inscent for you to rest peacefully. Thank you for everything you’ve done. You will be missed….
Somaly (Molly)
I had the opportunity to work for Douglas in the mid 80s for 4 years, my respect for him is immeasurable. The endless life stories he shared with me and words of wisdom I will never forget. God Bless him and his family, may he rest in peace.
Robert “Bobby” Estrada
I went to school with Robert his Son, I had no father so Doug was very kind to me as was Robert, And Joan. They always made sure I had a good meal, and we all laughed all the time.Especially the time Robert accidentlly hit his Dad with a Dart, that stuck in his shoulder. Robert’s relationship with his father was amazing. Like two Bulldogs, both males. Doug owned a boat the boat that once that belonged to the Rolling Stones, he would give me access to the boat, which was about 50 feet from the Red Onion restaurant. Fun times. I just learned about his Passing today. Hurt my heart. I have not seen him in 43 years, that should tell you what kind of man he was. Robert and I, in that 1964 Riviera going to High School. Robert helped me work on my car one day, the car fell on me breaking my arm, when The family found out they could not do enough for me, I was the Kid from the other side of the tracks. I remember their kindness most.Some people touch our lives in ways they never know.
Vincent J. Franco III (Vinny)
President
Auto Repair 2000 (30 years)