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David Boultbee posted a condolence
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Melanie and Family Fond recollections of visits with the Duras family pepper my childhood memories. I remember how much we all looked forward to those visits and all the fun things that we got to do there that we wouldn't or couldn't do elsewhere. It was always a treat and not because of all the fun things to do but by how welcome we were always made to feel. We felt more like family than mere visitors and John will be missed by all of his family.
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Julie Brazeau posted a condolence
Monday, December 26, 2005
Dear Marie, I wish I could be with you in person to offer my condolences. I'm so sorry about your Dad. I'm sure he's in a better place. Take care and know that I and the rest of the staff are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Julie
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Valerie & Alex Boultbee posted a condolence
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Dear Melanie - John Jr., Marie, Claudine, Matthew, Gregory and Melanie Jr. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sorrowful time of bereavement. We, too, are grieving. We have known John for almost 40 years and know what a remarkable man he was - having been forced to leave his beloved Czechoslovakia during its time of turmoil and coming to Canada to forge a new life. He created his own new world, raising a family, building a successful business, and becoming one of the proudest Canadians ever. Over the years, the Boultbee family have been guests in the Duras home numerous times and we have very fond memories of these occasions - particularly at Tetin. John was a very warm-hearted host, welcoming us all into his home and treating us as if we were part of his family. There was always an abundance of good conversation, food and wine - and, of course, many, many occasions to have a celebration. We will never hear the words "Nastorovia" (sp?) without thinking of John as he raised his left hand to make a toast. While we there as guests, John always provided a myriad of activities to keep us entertained. We will always remember the rides in the jeep along the marshlands, exploring the blinds for duck hunting, walking through the woods to watch the children swimming in the pond, playing shuffleboard at the top of the hill, shooting skeet across the valley, and, in the winter, making treks to the ski hill. John was always challenging us to keep pace with him but somehow made sure that we always managed a win or two at shuffleboard or whatever else. It was always an adventure and such fun being with John. He cut quite a dapper figure in his immaculate khakis (our girls adored the hats he wore!) and always behaved somewhat like a major general keeping us all organized and making sure that we were never bored. John worked extremely hard at everything he did, but knew how to enjoy life to the fullest in the midst of his family and close friends. We have such admiration for John's values, strong beliefs and strength of character - all of which are evidenced in his family. For all of us, life will never be the same without John, and we are all going to miss him very much.
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Ashley Boultbee posted a condolence
Friday, December 23, 2005
Dear Melanie and the rest of the Duras family, I have so many great memories of John from my childhood and the many occasions our two families got together. He always made sure to involve us kids, teaching us how to skeet shoot or sending us off on the snowmobile with one of the older boys. I still remember him trying to get the dogs in line with a fierce cry of "Hoosha Boosha dogs!" I remember him as a man who was very passionate about his beliefs and one who was not afraid to defend those beliefs. He was one of a kind and we will miss him dearly. Love Ashley
