Mr. Garry Norris

Garry Everette Norris …….. An inspiration to all.

May 8th 1939 – May 27th 2014

Known for his brilliant sense of humor and dedication to his family, Garry died peacefully in his home on the 27th of May 2014 snuggled up with his wife, children and grandchildren, as he wished. He was still cracking jokes just a couple of days before.

Born in Montreal,Quebec on May 8th 1939 to Dr. Kenneth Everette Norris and Martha Elizabeth Mae, Garry spent his summers at the family cottage in Riviere-Beaudette, Quebec where he met his lifelong companion and loving wife of 52 years, Beverly Brydges, at age 13 while delivering mail on their bicycles to the area residents.

Garry graduated from Sir George Williams (Concordia) University with a degree in Psychology, where his father was the Principal and the Norris Library/Archives remain to this day. He continued his education at McGill University where he earned his Master’s degree in Social Work. During his studies he completed an internship with the Kingston Penitentiary as the classification officer/social worker and also worked as a case worker with the John Howard Society in Montreal.

While he was working towards his Master’s degree, the first of six children, Gordon Hugh, was born in Montreal, Quebec. After graduation the family moved to Melfort, Saskatchewan where he was employed with the Government of Saskatchewan as a rural social worker and subsequently promoted to Supervisor. While in Melfort, daughter Katharine Elizabeth and son Brian Everette joined the family. Three years later, Garry accepted a position with the Children’s Aid Society in Barrie, Ontario where daughter Heather Marie was born. Garry was named Barrie’s Most Outstanding Young man of 1970, and one of Ontario’s Ten Outstanding Young Men (in recognition of work done for street youth) . In 1970, Garry moved to the town he called home… Kenora, Ontario where his youngest two daughters were born, Karen Margaret and Susan Mae. Garry continued his career in social work as the Executive Director for the Family and Children’s Services, a position which he held until Feb 1984 (He was proud of the fact that during his tenure he was able to increase the agency budget by 900% and quadrupled the agency staff).

Garry briefly stepped away from Social Work and accepted a position with the Canadian Pacific Railway for one year, he then went on to manage Tetu Lodge and Outpost camps following which he became the owner/operator of Longbow Lake Campground and Trailer Park before returning to his passion of helping others. In 1989 he became the Director of the Adult Community Mental Health Program at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora. During his time at the L.W.D.H he took a special interest in Critical Incident Stress Management, introducing Critical Incident Stress Management to Northwestern Ontario and setting up one of the first Critical Incident Stress debriefing teams in Ontario. It was at this time that Garry became one of three registered Traumatologists in Canada in 1997. Even after retiring, Garry continued his desire to help others by expanding his private practice and began his counselling services on a contract basis to six national Employment Assistance Programs, CPR, UFCW, and several departments of the Federal and Ontario Governments. He was also employed on a part time basis as a Mobile Crisis Worker with the Kenora Rainy River District Crisis Response Team.

No matter which city or town Garry lived in he was an active member of the community as a volunteer on boards and societies too numerous to mention including, Lake of the Woods Critical Incident Stress Management Team, Lake of the Woods Historical Society (Mather-Walls House), Elected Municipal Councilor – Town of Jaffray-Melick, President Northern Ontario Municipal Association, Past President – Melfort Kinsman Club, Charter President – Kiwanis Club of Jaffray-Melick and President- Alzheimer Society of Kenora

Garry’s life was his family, his love for travel, adventure, the outdoors, sports and community involvement. As a young man Garry was a life guard and instructed swimming in Montreal and the Banff Springs Hotel, a skill which he ensured all his children learned at their home on Black Sturgeon Lake. Garry enjoyed and excelled at many sports throughout his life. As well as swimming, he loved playing hockey, long distance running, football, skiing, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving and of course for all who knew him, golf and curling

Garry shared vivid stories of his travels around the world including the day he found himself on the wrong side of the Berlin wall as construction was being concluded, working as a crew member on a freighter as he crossed the ocean during a hurricane, and tales of the adventures he and Bev had on their many trips across Canada, the United States and Europe. They also made travel a priority for the family, taking them on yearly road trips throughout North America and Mexico, as well as joining some of their kids on trips to Amsterdam, Paris and Portugal

Garry’s love and caring went to not only his family, friends and clients but also to some of his children’s friends who resided with the family for extended periods. Said one of those friends, “His blue eyes always had a twinkle, his face was always lit up with a smile, and he loved and accepted everyone with no judgement. He was a father figure to all who knew him, and was the epitome of what most aspire to be in life and as a father.” It brought Garry and Bev great joy to have all the kid’s friends over for a good chat around the famous kitchen table, for dinners, camp fires, a dip in the lake, a paddle in the canoe or a glass of wine.

Predeceased by his father Dr. Kenneth Everette, his mother Martha Elizabeth Mae, his brother Kenneth Robert, his mother-law Mary Giffen, father-in-law Hugh Stanley Brydges, and his father-in-law Fred Giffen.

Left to celebrate his life and continue his legacy are his loving, dedicated and devoted wife Bev, his children Gordon (Heather) Bradley and Amanda Norris, Katharine (Dave) Julia and Chloe Edmondson, Brian (Alexis) Jaida and Amy Norris, Heather (Scott) Aliyah, Rowan and Tate Phillips, Karen (Craig) Judson, Amelia and Sawyer Schulz and Susan (John) Kai, Maren and Elsa Cyr along with his many special friends and neighbours.

Whether he was playing with any number of his 15 grandchildren, sharing stories of his adventures or planning the next it was all time that we undoubtedly would not have had with Garry without the love and support of his wife Beverly.

Garry/Dad/Grampa/Bunka …… you are an inspiration to all of our families. We will continue to pass on your zest for life and your appreciation and love for all people and animals! Your passing was too soon and left a void in our lives and our hearts. We thank you for being the most amazing son, uncle, grandfather, friend and above all the most amazing father and husband. We love you so much and miss you terribly already.

A special thank you to the LWDH Chemotherapy department, LWDH Emergency department nurses and physicians, Dr. Beveridge, Dr. Bowerman, Dr. Scaife. In lieu of flowers please forward donations to LWDH Chemotherapy Department, Lake of the Woods Community Foundation and the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

“May the sun bring you new energy every day. May the moon softly restore you by night. May the rain wash away your worries. May the breeze blow new strength into your being. May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life.” Apache Blessing

A Celebration of Garry’s life will be held at the Minis Hall located in the Super 8 Motel on July 12, 2014 from 1 – 4 P.M.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

BROWN FUNERAL HOM E& CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.