Duane Tyson Christmas

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Duane Tyson Christmas on Monday, April 28, 2025 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Duane was the son of the late Lillian Christmas and the grandson of the Late Victor Christmas and Mary Isabel Christmas who lovingly cared for him as their own until their passing. Duane was a character and will be missed by all who loved and knew him.

Duane was predeceased by his mother, Lillian Christmas and his step father Daniel James MacGillivray as well as his maternal grandparents Victor Christmas and Mary Isabel Christmas and paternal grandparents Edward Kabatay and Theresa Kabatay. Duane was predeceased by his uncles whom he loved dearly, Leonard Christmas, Benjamin (Benny), Edmund (Dooley) Christmas, Edwin (Bub) Kabatay, Alfred Kabatay and Peter Kabatay. He was also predeceased by a brother Edwin Daniel James Christmas.

Duane leaves behind a family that will love and mourn him but we know that he is home now, reunited with family that loved him as much as we did. He is survived by his father Harold Kabatay, uncle Edward John (Carol) and aunts Irene, Edna (Wendall), Cecilia, and Freda. He will be missed by his Uncle Edawale. Duane leaves behind a sister Mabel Joe (Dana) and a brother Roderick “Roddy” Christmas (Sarah) and a sister Rhonda and brother Peter.

Also left to mourn are his nieces and nephews Curtis Christmas (Ellen), Donavon Christmas, Madison Joe (Sylvia), Mariah Joe (Destiny), Dana Joe, Lilly Joe, and Ava Joe as well as several great nephews and great nieces.

Duane had a wandering spirit and would sometimes just go where ever the wind would take him. You never knew where he would end up. A familiar saying in our family was “Where’s Duane?” and “Who’s getting Duane?” Most times he was just living his carefree life in Maine until he was ready to come home.

Duane was also known for his bowling skills. He bowled competitively in many tournaments and would want it to be known that he also bowled in The World’s. This was a sport that he mastered and he mastered it well.

Duane was employed by the Membertou Band as a landscaper and will be missed by the crew. He was also known to pick blueberries in Maine and rice in Ontario.

Duane will be waked at the home of Mabel and Dana Joe, 10 L’nu Ave ( Membertou). He will be waked on Tuesday, May 6th starting at 7:00 p.m.until the funeral on Thursday, May 8th. The funeral will be at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys at 11:00 a.m. with a salite to follow at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre. Burial will take place at a later date. To view the service or leave the family a memory or condolence, please visit twcurry.com.