Born August 5, 1946, Dan passed away on July 14, 2023, in his hometown of Victoria, BC.
Predeceased by his parents Bonnie and Hugh, Dan is survived by his wife Laureen (Main), to whom he was married for 54 years, as well as by sons Chris and Mike, granddaughter Helen, daughter-in-law Rachel, sister Jan, numerous nieces and nephews and in-laws, and many great friends.
Dan graduated from the University of Victoria with a degree in Economics in 1968, and soon began his career as a chartered accountant, before eventually landing in the Ministry of Forests, with whom he worked until his retirement in 2001. He also enjoyed volunteering at Outerbridge Park and the Times Colonist’s annual book sale, acted as a Boy Scout leader, and was a host parent for students from Lester B. Pearson College for over 20 years. An avid cook and gardener, Dan was also known for his wry sense of humour and as a great reader of mystery novels. With Laureen, he travelled the world—to Peru, Italy, Namibia, Turkey, Costa Rica, and more. Dan was a soccer player and enthusiast, and a member of the Dinner Club for 44 years.
Above all else, Dan was known for his steadiness, patience, and capacity for kindness. He will be terribly missed. Tributes, if desired, may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation, to whom Dan’s family gives their gratitude.
A Celebration of Dan’s Life will be held in the Sequoia Centre, at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 2:00pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Jill
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Chidubem Momah I am lost for words at where to begin, deeply saddened that I get to connect with my family at the passing of Dan. Not many find a family thousand of miles across of the oceans, but I am one of the lucky few.
Thank you Chris and Mike for graciously sharing your Dad with us. Dan was rare, patient, funny and so caring. He bent over backwards countless times to ensure our comfort and always had a listening ear with wise words for a 16 year old me.
I am thankful I made a visit with my family years ago but wish I stayed connected over the years. But I can hear Dan, with a smile on his face, saying “Ahhhh ChiChi, it’s alright. I didn’t love you less”.Mama Laureen, you both were a team made in heaven. His face lit up each time you came into the room. Be comforted by the loving memories and the knowledge that together you made a huge impact on many of us. Love you lots.
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Brenda Dogbey (nee Ogembo) Dear Sweet Dan. Soo deeply saddened to learn of your passing. You, Laureen, Chris and Mike were an extraordinary host family and such a key part of my early years in Canada. Your love for Bob and cooking will always be fond memories. My family from Kenya send their regards and heartfelt condolences. Laureen and family take heart – May the sweet memories be a comfort to you. Sending you love from Ottawa.
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Elizabeth Johnson So sorry to hear of Dan’s passing.
He always had such a great smile whenever I would see him.
My condolences Lauren to you and all your family.
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Comfort Ero Dear Lauren,
Please kindly accept my condolences on the the death of your husband Dan! It was a surprise. Please take heart. I will find time to see you soon.
Comfort Ero
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Nosa Ero-Brown Dear Laureen, Chris and Mike
I hope you take comfort in the impact Dan had on so many lives including mine. In his quiet and very wise way he always knew just what to say, when to say it. Dan was there for big moments like my wedding and for little moments like needing a ride and everything in between. He was the best host dad. I will miss his hugs, his jokes and laughter and most of all, I will miss watching him dance. I hope you are shaking a leg to the music Dan!!!! Love you lots.
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IK Ero Thank you Dan for your smile and dance moves at those family gatherings :-). Your personality was a quiet and reassuring light when we first moved to Canada. Rest in Peace.
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Paul Lackhoff Diane and I wish to offer our condolences to Laureen and the boys. I worked with Dan for a number of years and played golf with him every Sunday. Wen I had to move back to Calgary, golf kept us in touch, with him heading east and me going west at least once a year to play fun tournaments with the boys.. Dan was smart, funny, kind with integrity to spare. He will be missed.
Take care Dan and stay out of the rough.
Paul and Diane
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Tanya (Toni) De Mello I am missing him so very much and wish I could have had one last squeeze! He was one of the kinder and gentler souls and I felt incredible love and care from him. He called me his peach and was a good listener, a cautious Counsellor and a father figure. He was one of the people that helped to raise me. And I miss him dearly.
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Marie Fletcher Hi Laureen, Chris, Mike, Rachel and Helen. I am so very sorry for the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. While I didn’t know him really well, I certainly had contact over the years as Chris and my daughter were the best of friends in school. I always found him to be a warm, intelligent friendly man. I hope you all find the strength needed to carry on having good, happy and fulfilling lives. Hugs!
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Elizabeth Mincey My condolences to you and the boys Laureen. May you have all the time you need to heal.
Thinking of you,
Elizabeth
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Susan Lewis So sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. He was a bright light and lots of fun at Forest Service gatherings. Will be thinking of you as you begin your “new normal “ life without him. Blessings
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Audrey Trenholme All the volunteers at Outerbridge Park who knew and worked with Dan will remember him for his gentle humour, calm quiet ways, and his patient pulling of pesky weeds. Dan’s smile could warm us on cloudy or rainy days and he will be missed. Our condolences to Laureen and the family.
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Larry Pedersen I am saddened to hear of Dan’s passing and I pass my condolences to the family on their loss. I worked in the Forest Service and knew Dan for many years. I always enjoyed talking with him and having him explain the state of play on the softwood lumber dispute with the US. He was so knowledgeable and competent and always patient in helping others to understand things. One of my favourite memories of Dan was in London. Jim Snetsinger and I were headed to the World Forestry Congress in Antalya Turkey in the fall of 1997. We coming up an escalator to street level from the tubes and about 1/2 way up I heard “hey Larry” and looked over to the down escalator and there was Dan, with his usual big smile on his face and us surprised at seeing him. He said meet you at the top. So he came back up to street level and we all headed off for a pint. He was on his way to Africa as I recall. We spent a great few hours together catching up in London and off he went. Always nice to share a pint or two with such a great and happy man.
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Russell Dean Laureen, my condolences to you & all the family.
A great guy has been lost .
I have been reconstructing the past ,,many fun & good times spent with Dan .
I was lucky to have known Dan since 1960 , taking junior golf lessons together after school,
caddying for Dan when he won the junior championship at Gorge ,living together in Vancouver .
All the years, he was a kind, gentle, positive guy .Funny, smart, he was a great friend .
It was my luck & pleasure to know him
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John McCormick So sad to hear of the passing of Dan. We were great friends through high school and university. We played tons of golf together and went on holidays at the end of summers with a bunch of other guys. Gorge Vale was like a second home. Danny played on our Mount View golf team that won the city championship – a great accomplishment.
What a wonderful guy, so calm, humorous, easy going and likeable. At high school graduation we didn’t have dates so we went together and had an absolute blast.
Unfortunately the passing of the years saw us loose touch but friends like Dan are always in our hearts.
Sincere condolences to all family and friends.
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Jane Bond I was so very sorry to hear that Dan had passed away. He was a longtime member of our volunteer crew at Outerbridge Park and we always enjoyed his company in the park and at our coffee breaks in the barn. We will miss him.
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Marilyn Miller Erickson Laureen, I’m so saddened by this news. Dan sounds like your Prince Charming, and that’s a huge loss. Sending strength and love.
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Winston (office neighbour) Dan’s sense of humour was very dry. His martinis were even drier. . . shaken not stirred.
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Michael Stone If you look in the dictionary for the definition of “a decent man” you will find a picture of Dan. It was an honour to have known him.
Mike Stone
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Linda (Jan’s friend) Heartfelt condolences to the Laureen, the whole family and Jan. May there be peace.
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Bruce Main (cousin) Laureen and family
Extremely saddened by your loss, may you keep happy memories always!
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Sandra Chalmers Deepest condolences to you and your family Laureen for your loss.
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DianeCrim Laureen, Chris, Mike and Jan: we are so sorry to learn of Dan’s passing. My heart is full of ‘kid’ memories. May your memories help to give you all some comfort and smiles in the coming days. Please know your Sweetheart, Dad and Brother will always be in your heart! These folks that go before us have a way of hanging around in our lives. Peace and Love, Diane and John Crim
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Sheri Roskelley Sooo many great memories of our childhood with Dan then during out kids’ early childhoods! Not that we’ve seen each other for the last many years but I will miss the thought of you ‘being out there’ Dan. Laureen our thoughts are with you & the boys.
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Leslie Bateman Leslie Bateman
I’m very sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. I knew Dan through his wife Laureen who was a friend and a part of my Book Club. Whenever I went to Book Club at Laureen’s home, Dan would greet me with a cheery, “Hi Leslie. How are you doing.” I was always a bit surprised he knew who I was but I guess he did and it was great to be recognized/remembered. It sounds like that was the kind of guy Dan was….very kind and thoughtful. He will be missed by many. I send my very sincere condolences to Laureen and all Dan’s family.
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SUSAN MCFADDEN I hold good thoughts for Laureen and all the family during this transition.
Dan. Worked with him at Min of Forests. Winston, Larry P, Lois etc. All of us and anyone who crossed Dan’s path, knew what a terrific guy he was!
Condolences to his family.