Joseph Adrien Denis (Denny) Duhamel was born 7 December 1938 to Adrien Duhamel and Blanche Binette Duhamel, and older sister Eliane. Denny grew up on a farm outside St. Paul, AB and attended high school in Edmonton. Despite his father’s wish that he take over the farm, he joined the RCMP in 1960, completing training in Regina and postings in Maple Creek and Swift Current, SK. After a year off to help his parents on the farm, in 1967 he joined the RCMP security service in Montreal and was involved in the Expo ’67 security detail, the FLQ October Crisis, and various ceremonial horse-mounted guards accompanying dignitaries to Parliament. In Montreal he met and married Elizabeth (Liz) Kingdon and had two children, Laurie in 1968 and Martin in 1970. He remained with the security service and in 1976 transferred to Vancouver, BC, settling with his family in Langley. In 1984 he transferred to the newly formed CSIS, from which he retired in 1989. After retirement and separation from Liz he began to travel, including a trip to Costa Rica and many trips to Mexico, where he immersed himself in the local culture. Denny loved his motorcycles, including dirt bikes, touring bikes, and a Harley. He rode with the Langley Roadriders, took several trips through Canada and the US, and rode his Harley from Vancouver to Mexico in 1994. After trying his hand as a realtor and pilot car driver, he settled down to full retirement in Chilliwack, BC where he shared his life with Jan Scott from 1996-2003, and with Merla (Carly) Taylor from 2003-2013. He loved art and enjoyed searching out local artists to create custom hand-crafted pieces. He never tired of learning the latest technologies, from computers and smartphones to gadgets of all kinds, and was always finding new subjects to explore. In 2015 he moved to Salmon Arm, BC near his daughter and enjoyed his last year exploring his new town, fishing with new friends, riding his bicycle, and enjoying life on the lake. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on 16 September 2016 at the age of 77. He will be deeply missed.
Online condolences may be sent through Denny’s obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com