Norm was a couple of months away from his 88th  birthday. He grew up in the UK during WWII, and was the last surviving, but second youngest of 4 brothers and a sister.
 
“Norrie” recently said his happiest years were when he lived in the Middle East; there, he served 4 years from the age of 17 with the Royal Air Force.

He then worked with an oil company for a couple of years, when he met his first wife and was always glad they moved to Canada. She proved a life-long friend. Since 2020, she was one of Norm’s four other, but Yukon-based advocates.
 
In his early 80s, Norm quit a lifetime of smoking, at times over-indulgent tippling (“making memories”) and 55+ years-worth of prescription pharmaceuticals he took for an old injury. He said of these personal “accomplishments” he had “restored [his] dignity.” A tip Norm shared for those with life-long pain: prescription Diclofenac 10% cream.
 
Norm was a natural storyteller, sociable and he maintained his spark and curiosity in life. Norm led a full and adventurous life. He was a modest man of contrasts, a man of common sense with dry, Scottish humour. Only a few deserving men received his remarkable Glaswegian kiss. A peaceful man, he loved the good times of making eggs benny for luxurious breakfasts with friends; he loved a good “cuppa” with a chat, and gardening.
 
He always loved horses since his early teen years when he worked for a blacksmith in “the Village” in Scotland. In Yukon, Norm kept dogs and cats, and is survived by his “little guy,”  Plurah, along with an 18 year-old Artic husky to round out “quite the little family,” plus the people he touched, old and new friends, and family.
 
Norm was community-oriented. In Ontario he helped introduce Crosswalks and the Block Parent program in the 1960s and 1970s. Norm was also active as a leader with Scouts Canada. In the early 90s, when good friends taught Norm how to use a computer, he volunteered tirelessly for a few years on getting more a community status for a small settlement on Lake Lebarge. The near 40 years Norm lived in Yukon were some of his most fun, creative, and content.
 
In 2002, Norm thought of moving south to be there for his grandkids; but, by c.2017, logistics proved too much. So, as Norm had often said, Yukon’s landscape reminded him of Scotland, and that was that. He had travelled Yukon trails, including the Canol Heritage Trail with a good friend by ATV, and loved getting around by dog team. Norm was always up for an adventure; while out on medical, Norm was quite pleased with getting an “I made it” certificate for walking the Capilano Suspension Bridge. For the last 6 years, Norm loved short and long road trips in the F250, and loved coming home to the glorified cabin he put a plaque on to read: “Norm’s Kingdom.”
 
Weeks after attending this year’s Burns Night, Norm was asked if he kept any record of his poetry from the 1980s and 1990s; without hesitation, he easily recalled one piece with the same passion as if he just finished composing it:
 
Twas on the Marge of Lake LaBerge
the Laird in his manor dwelt
But with walls summer thin,
there’s scarce heat within.
and the cold is often felt
He has twa cats, pure black and proud
and tolerant of his ways                                    
But when that cold it drops, below 30 stops
there’s ‘pissed off’ in their gaze
The Laird he puffs a Brigham pipe
with nought but Erinmore in the bowl
And his puffin it does increase
proportionate to the cold                                                                    
So when that cold it drops, below 30 stops
those cats are snugly bound
About the Lairds touqued head, as he puffs in bed
where the only heat is found.
  ‘Ode to Erinmore Reek’  c.1989 … from  Old Poetry for a Chuckle!
 
Norm rests in peace.

Photo: Norm at home, enjoying the peace of getting some post-lunch sun in the misty mountains as winter sets in on ‘The Creek.’ (M. Webster, Nov. 2023)

 
Addendum

Norm’s closest family members thank Yukon RCMP’s Major Crime Unit, Yukon’s Chief Coroner and Yukon Victim Services. Norm’s death was initially considered sudden and suspicious. However, as of now, the cause of death will come from an autopsy and toxicological findings. Norm’s helpful nature may echo all the more. He believed much will be learned from his late-life experience. This, in order to improve the quality of life among seniors; certainly, as matters in the public interest, public safety, and public trust. To what degree remains to be seen until the various reports are available and, regardless, recommendations (anticipated and otherwise) are implemented and sustained. All this to say in a way Norm had long observed: “The process is the product.”