Dr. Francis Duncan FORBES

03/25/1932 - 08/19/2024

FORBES, Dr. Francis Duncan

Dr. Francis Duncan Forbes, known to family and friends as Blackie or Grandpa Kiwi, passed away peacefully on August 19, at the age of 92 in Delta, with his daughter Susan by his side.

Born on March 25, 1932 in New Westminster, he is predeceased by his parents Duncan and Ellen (nee Peterson) Forbes. He is survived by his wife Thea, son Duncan (Cynthia, Paul and Thais), and daughters Karen (Andy and Dallas), Britta (Tyree) and Susan (Scott, Jade, Jesse and his sidekick Remy). Dr. Forbes lived most of his childhood years in logging camps in various places on Vancouver Island. The last of those being at Woss, north of Campbell River, where he would return to work during summer breaks from University. He also spent a lot of his youth with his maternal grandmother Emma ( a full blood member of the Salish People of the Pacific Northwest), who encouraged him to obtain his medical degree.

Graduating in 1950 from Duke of Connaught (New Westminster), he went on to receive a Medical Degree from the University of British Columbia in 1957. His career started as a resident with the Government of Newfoundland in St. Johns in 1958. He then became the Medical Officer with the Government of Canada in Europe from 1959 -1967, where he was stationed with the family in Holland, Germany, Denmark, Italy and Portugal. Moving back to Canada, he became the Zone Director with Northern Health and Welfare Canada in Vancouver from 1967-1981. In 1975 he received his Doctor of Public Health degree from the University of Toronto and then retired upon working as the Health Service Officer with the R.C.M.P. of Vancouver from 1981-1995. He also served continuously for the Canadian Forces (Primary Reserve) 15th field Artillery Regiment from 1977-1987.

Dr. Forbes loved to volunteer and one most notable stint was in 2000. At 68, he took part in the St. Roch II Voyage of Rediscovery to retrace the 1942 voyage across the Northwest Passage. A 22,000 nautical mile trip around North America, he served as Medical Officer, on board the CCGS Simon Fraser (the Canadian ice breaker). He was also a past member of the Gizeh Shriners and the Masons.

He lived a long and fulfilling life, enjoying gardening, travel, scuba diving, coin collecting and philately. Dr. Forbes will be deeply missed by family, friends, and all who knew him.