Doug Duncanson: East Bentleigh man farewelled in packed out funeral service

A tight-knit community has gathered to say goodbye to a well-loved East Bentleigh father and fisherman, after a stomach aneurysm led to his death.

East Bentleigh’s Doug Duncanson, 65, was farewelled in a moving service on Friday, July 22. Picture: Supplied.

Family and friends have remembered a beloved East Bentleigh father in a touching farewell, after he tragically died from a shock stomach aneurysm.

Mourners packed the Cheltenham Tobin Brothers’ funeral home on July 22 to pay their respects to Doug ‘Dougy’ Duncanson, with the crowds spilling outside.

Mr Duncanson, 65, died after suffering a shock stomach aneurysm at his home, on Thursday, July 14.

At the memorial service, Mr Duncanson’s family and friends made moving tributes, barely leaving a dry eye in the house.

“I don’t know how I’ll go on without you,” said his wife, Francine.

A devoted and loving father, Mr Duncanson was remembered as a hard working family man.

“No matter the circumstances, you could count on dad and know that he would be there,” daughter Mollie said.

“He never wanted us to go without. That was one of his way of showing that he loved and cared for us.”

“Dad was such a family man. He gave us the world and was dedicated to ensuring that we all got the very best.

“I hope he knows the very best was the time we got to spend with him.”

Heralded as a “great storyteller”, a long list of friends lined up to tell stories about Mr Duncanson.

Close friend and ex-radio presenter Shawn Cosgrove, who was unable to attend the ceremony, had a prerecorded message for Mr Duncanson.

“He was much loved throughout his neighbourhood and community,” Mr Cosgrove told the service.

“I know Dougy had many loves but the two greatest were his wife and his family.

“What I loved about Doug, was there was no GST added, no mayonnaise, no bulls**t.

“Doug was a good, honest and fair dinkum man. He was a gentle man, and a gentleman.”

In his final tribute that would make even the toughest of people tear up, Mr Cosgrove said:

“May the road rise to meet you, may the wind always been at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, the rainfall softly on your fields, and until we meet again Doug, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

“Goodbye and rest in peace.”