Michael J. Duncan

Duncan, Michael J. SAN DIEGO On June 10, 2011 attorney Michael J Duncan of San Diego was called to eternal peace after suffering from a long term illness at Sharp Memorial Hospital. Michael slipped into a peaceful slumber with his loving family at his side. Michael was the beloved and loving husband of 32 years to Rebecca Douglas Duncan. Michael was the adored father of son, Jonathan (Millie); and daughter, Deidre Duncan; and doting grandfather of Jeremiah Duncan. He leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Audrey Duncan of Delmar, N.Y.; sisters Patricia Holliday (Rhoderick) of Kendall Park, N.J., Denyce Lacy (Thomas) of Delmar, and Leslie Fottrell (Kevin) of Slingerlands, N.Y. He was predeceased by his father, Conrad L. Duncan. Also grieving Michael's departure are many dear friends, colleagues and a host of loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Michael was born on December 3, 1952 in Fort Bragg, N.C., where his father was stationed as a U.S. Army officer. As an "army brat," Michael and his family traveled around the U.S. and Germany, until his father's retirement from the military in Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1969. Michael received his bachelor's of arts degree from Notre Dame University in 1974. In 1978 he completed his juris doctorate degree at Thomas Jefferson School of Law formerly known as Western State Law School. Michael became a member of the California state bar in 1981 and began his legal career as a practicing attorney with the law firm of Matthews, Bergen, Potash and Grier. In 1986 he became a juvenile court hearing officer for the county of San Diego. In 1991 Michael began his job of 20 years as a deputy alternate public defender for the county of San Diego. Michael began an early retirement from the county in April 2011. Michael maintained professional memberships in the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, the State Bar of California, the San Diego County Bar Association, and the Criminal Defense Bar Defense Association. In addition to loving his nuclear and extended families, Michael loved the Notre Dame "Fighting Irish," the San Diego Chargers, the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Lakers and many others teams. Michael liked all types of cuisine: Italian, Mexican, Philippine, Greek and Indian. He liked coin collecting, jazz, reading books and talking. His outgoing and friendly personality made him a stranger to no one and his gift of gab was as comforting as a blanket. Michael's ability to communicate and connect with people, his tremendous eye for detail and amazing memory served him well in his more than 30 year public service career as an attorney. This also made him an unsung "Jeopardy" champ. His patience, inner strength and deep love for his family helped him fight a valiant battle with various types of cancers for 13 years. Visitation hours are 4-7 p.m., Sunday, June 19 at Anderson-Ragsdale-Mortuary located at 5050 Federal Blvd,, San Diego, CA, 92102. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 20, 11 a.m., at Christ the King Catholic Church, 29 N. 32nd Ave., San Diego. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, San Diego, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael Duncan's name can be made to: City of Hope, National Cancer Center, a NCI designated comprehensive cancer care center, 1055 Wilshire Blvd, #1200, Los Angeles, CA 90017 or by making a secure donation online: www.secure.cityofhope.org/donate/Main/CardsForHope.aspx