Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Duncan James Fraser
1956 - 2025
BORN
1956
DIED
2025
UPCOMING SERVICE
Duncan Fraser Obituary
Duncan James Fraser
October 30, 1956 - July 1, 2025
Duncan James Fraser left us peacefully on July 1st, 2025, surrounded by his family. In his own words, "[he'd] had a good life."
Duncan was born in Vancouver on October 30th, 1956, the son of Christina (Chris) and Roderick (Rod) Fraser. The family soon relocated to Tsawwassen, where he would proudly remain for the rest of his life.
Duncan began bagpiping at a young age, eventually reaching professional status. He started with the White Spot Junior Pipe Band until graduating to Triumph Street Pipe Band, where he was a part of the band that placed 5th in the 1979 World Pipe Band Championships, the first time a band from outside Scotland had won a major prize. His professional piping had him pipe for heads of state and Zsa Zsa Gabor. It was in Triumph Street that he met the love of his life, another piper, Robyn Palmer.
Duncan and Robyn's fledgling relationship grew over the course of their time within the band, and they married on June 19th, 1982, moving shortly afterward to the Beach Grove rancher that had been built by Duncan's father several years before. The family grew with the addition of Roderick (Rory) in 1987 and Colin in 1991.
Duncan loved many things: airplanes, ships, Napoleonic history, Scotland, books, bad old movies, ELP, the banjo, the Canucks, his wife, and his family. He was a man of wide-ranging interests, a man full of good stories, a man full of kindness. His life was filled with band trips, family trips to Disneyland and beyond, shuttling the boys around to sports and school, and watching every Canucks game with Robyn.
The past couple of weeks were a difficult time in his life, but he met the sudden and terrible news with bravery and dignity.
Duncan was predeceased by his beloved parents, Rod and Chris and is survived by his wife of 43 years, Robyn, sons Rory (Sofia) and Colin (Doris), and grandchildren Diego and Rowan. One of the silver linings was the deep and abiding love that Grampa Duncan showed to his grandchildren for the several months that their lives intersected.
The family would like to extend thanks to the staff of Delta Hospital and Dr. Ina Zhou for their generous care of Duncan in the past couple of weeks.
Duncan will be laid to rest at Boundary Bay Cemetery in Tsawwassen. A celebration of life will be held on September 19th at 11am at the Scottish Cultural Centre in Vancouver.
~
October 30, 1956 - July 1, 2025
Duncan James Fraser left us peacefully on July 1st, 2025, surrounded by his family. In his own words, "[he'd] had a good life."
Duncan was born in Vancouver on October 30th, 1956, the son of Christina (Chris) and Roderick (Rod) Fraser. The family soon relocated to Tsawwassen, where he would proudly remain for the rest of his life.
Duncan began bagpiping at a young age, eventually reaching professional status. He started with the White Spot Junior Pipe Band until graduating to Triumph Street Pipe Band, where he was a part of the band that placed 5th in the 1979 World Pipe Band Championships, the first time a band from outside Scotland had won a major prize. His professional piping had him pipe for heads of state and Zsa Zsa Gabor. It was in Triumph Street that he met the love of his life, another piper, Robyn Palmer.
Duncan and Robyn's fledgling relationship grew over the course of their time within the band, and they married on June 19th, 1982, moving shortly afterward to the Beach Grove rancher that had been built by Duncan's father several years before. The family grew with the addition of Roderick (Rory) in 1987 and Colin in 1991.
Duncan loved many things: airplanes, ships, Napoleonic history, Scotland, books, bad old movies, ELP, the banjo, the Canucks, his wife, and his family. He was a man of wide-ranging interests, a man full of good stories, a man full of kindness. His life was filled with band trips, family trips to Disneyland and beyond, shuttling the boys around to sports and school, and watching every Canucks game with Robyn.
The past couple of weeks were a difficult time in his life, but he met the sudden and terrible news with bravery and dignity.
Duncan was predeceased by his beloved parents, Rod and Chris and is survived by his wife of 43 years, Robyn, sons Rory (Sofia) and Colin (Doris), and grandchildren Diego and Rowan. One of the silver linings was the deep and abiding love that Grampa Duncan showed to his grandchildren for the several months that their lives intersected.
The family would like to extend thanks to the staff of Delta Hospital and Dr. Ina Zhou for their generous care of Duncan in the past couple of weeks.
Duncan will be laid to rest at Boundary Bay Cemetery in Tsawwassen. A celebration of life will be held on September 19th at 11am at the Scottish Cultural Centre in Vancouver.
~
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Delta Optimist from Aug. 1 to Aug. 30, 2025.