The B.C. basketball community is mourning the loss of a longtime coach who made a significant impact in the Delta school district.
Duncan Anderson passed away on Sunday from complications of a stroke. He was 66. He is survived by his wife Judy and his extended family, including four children. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 10 at the Northview Golf Ãourse in Surrey 6857 168 Street at 4:30 p.m.
Andersons long coaching tenure included an impressive stint at Delta secondary school where he guided the Pacers senior boys team to the provincial AAA tournament in 1993, ending a 14-year drought for the program.
That squad was led by Navi Sekhon who went on to thrive at the collegiate and university levels and is considered one of the greatest players to come out of the Ladner school. He credits much of his success to Anderson who he had remained in contact with over the years.
This is just devastating to all of us, said an emotional Sekhon now a Burnaby firefighter. Its a big loss for his family, all his friends and basketball in B.C. He gave 30 years of his life to making a difference for kids and made a great impact on so many.
I had known him since Grade 7 when I went to one of his summer camps. The best thing about him was just his passion for the game. It was second to none. I just knew he was always going to be there for me.
Anderson had retired from full-time teaching but was still working as a substitute in Surrey and was helping out with the basketball program at Seaquam secondary.
His run at Delta secondary included coaching his oldest son John for four seasons as the two commuted to Ladner from their North Delta home.
The Pacers Agrodome appearance in 1993 coincided with Andersons final season coaching the senior boys team.
The only thing that he valued more than his passion for basketball was the love and devotion he had for his wife, Judy, and their family, said friend and longtime DSS athletic director Jim Lawrence who retired last year. He was an outstanding teacher and a highly respected colleague to all of us.
Besides his volunteer duties coaching at the high school level, Anderson also was involved with Basketball B.C. as a provincial team coach.
