February 23, 2023

Still missed everyday, loved forever ♥️……

Your Nojo

Three years today - always remembered, always loved....

Rory, you were an amazing man and when I worked for you , you had such a positive impact on me.  Thank you .
When I think of you I smile. 

I worked with this great person at BMO a long long time ago but remember so much and learned so much from Rory . I often wondered over the years how he was and where he and Norma were.  For some unknown reason I decided to try and find him on the net.........I don’t know if his family still checks this but if you do, my sincere condolences, I wished , really wished I did this search a few years ago.
I will alway remember and appreciate the positive impact he had in my life .   You are all in my prayers.    Miss you Rory, 
  Ray O’Kane.  
Oakville, Ontario.  August 10th/2019



It is with great sadness that I write this.  Rory Quinn what a great and gentle man, and an amazing friend.  Brian and I had the pleasure of meeting Rory and Norma about 10 years ago.  Brian met Rory first through our mutual friend Bud Smith  who owned a wine shop which Rory occasionally helped out at.  Shortly thereafter Norman and Rory became our very dear friends.  We would spend many special occasions together. 

When I remember Rory, I remember the kind, gentle and funny man that he was. I loved his quaint laugh.  Rory had great taste, he was an avid wood worker and his pieces were stunning.  Rory had a flare for style. 

So many memories, the Vancouver Hastings horse races (ponies), the Johnny Reid concert, and many more. Rory loved to laugh and dance which we did a lot when we were all together. Fun was always had by all.

Rory built us a mantel for our fire place which I cherish every day, if you know Gibsons at all, we have school hill which is very steep, Rory and Norma lived at the bottom end of Gibsons and we lived at the top end.  Rory was having a few issues with the pieces that he cut and had to make several trips, he said to me if I have to go up and down that hill one more time, I'm going to have to charge you for gas....then he would laugh.

Another time we went to Norma and Rory's for a dinner party with our mutual friends Bob and LJ.  After dinner wine pong started, not sure if it was Bob or Rory that started it but, needless to say we had a lot of laughs.  The Quinn's had a white carpet under their dinning room table, the carpet lost that night.  Who has white carpet and red wine....Hummm the Quinn's.  Next time we went for dinner the carpet was gone.

I will miss you my dear friend Rory, but will never forget you.
I Salute you Rory Quinn, may you rest in peace for eternity.

Love 
Monika McFee

Let's all take a moment to smile as we remember Rory. Remember his wonderful sense of humour, his humanity, his love and friendship, loyalty and talent. Our lives are enriched to have known him  and we  are comforted knowing   he is now at peace.   Love to Norma and family. Valerie Ward

It’s very difficult to imagine a world without Rory.  He was someone who always made you laugh, who you could have great conversations with plus he was also a great listener. 
We first met the Quinn’s in the summer of 1979.  Throughout the years there were many visits back and forth.  We lived in Toronto for a few years and that was when we became ace darts players and listened to loud music till your ears bled.  When we returned to Calgary getting together was always a thing.  Our kids knew them as special people in our lives and.  Rory always had a sit down with them to chat and that carried on into their teens . We rented in the Shuswap the Quinn’s always came.  This one particular time Rory drove up in a new vehicle.  JJ was 2 and sweeping the deck but couldn’t move this one log so he kicked it.  We all watched it slowly roll toward the edge and onto the roof of Rors car.  We were mortified but Rory took it in great stride just said he would send Ted the bill.  Of course it broke the ice and we laughed about it every time we saw them.Ashleigh always remembers Horne Lake when Rory went up to her with a colander on his face and said “you can’t see me” not only did she laugh the rest of us were as well.  He enjoyed the colander so much he wore it as a hat the rest of the night.  That was also the summer Rory was quite kid like and got the adults to fight back against the kids in a water balloon fight.  Rory got PAILS! Kids still won but the laughtercreated was great.  One of my memories of that same trip was Rory sitting on the deck flanked by Ash and JJ eating jello cups.  All three were deep in discussion.  Our family are also the proud owners of 2 pieces of your beautiful woodwork.  
The memories are vast and you will be sorely missed Rory. You were a gentle soul with a twinkle in your eye. 
Rest easy friend,

Tedski,Stasny, Ashleigh &JJ














I first met Rory in 1976 after I was transferred by the Bank from Winnipeg to Toronto .  
From the moment I met him I recognized he was a “ special “ human being . Kind, fun loving , a dedicated team member , with always with that little Irish twinkle in his eye and mischievous look . 
Two of my most vivid memories about Rory and the time we spent together as friends  and colleagues I will always remember are as follows .
For the two years we worked together, most every Friday a few of us would go to Ed’s Warehouse for a steak lunch ( $5 dollars  for the steak ) and a few “ beers” . Generally with the help of a few more beers we were able to solve most of the worlds problems . 
The second  thing that sticks in my mind were the frequent after work drop ins at the Nag’s  Head pub . The intent was always to have “ one” and then hop on the train to Oakville . Needles to say the one beer frequently stretched to a few more, resulting in having to run to catch the last train ride .
I am now 80 yrs old and have time to reflect on the happy times and events spent over the more than 4 decades I had the pleasure and privilege of knowing Rory . 
Rory was my true friend and I will forever cherish the many good times we shared together .
Rest In Peace my friend . I Willy truly miss you but will never forget you , 

I remember Rory as a man with a great sense of humour, who usually was the life of the party. I also remember him as a kind man, a man full of empathy, and a man who always seemed true to himself. 

Norma, my heart goes out to you.

Uli

My fondest memory of Rory was from years ago and I will never forget the great and funny character that he was! I had been single for a year and a half. and had not met anyone who had caught my fancy at that point. Norma and Bonnie were off on a Sweet Adeline’s retreat, which just happened to be on Valentines Day. Des called me to say that he and Rory were going to La Piazza for dinner and they wanted me to join them, after all it was $5.95 pasta night. Here I was with 2 handsome guys treating me to a wonderful pasta dinner on Valentines Day, thanks to Norma and Bonnie! We talked about how hard it was, as a 50 year old single woman, to meet someone new to share yiur life with. At that point Rory said, “You know what Barb, I think  I could help you with that.” I told him how touched I was that he wanted to do that for me! He said, “No problem but I will need a Looney to seal the contract.” So of coarse I gave him the Looney with high hopes, thinking that Rory was going to be my savior and this was going to be a great investment! Needless to say, as time went on, Rory did not seem to be working very hard on this for me and I would ask him for my Looney back every time I saw him, just to remind him that I was still single!! He would surprisingly say “Oh no. I am still working on this for you and I am getting close, real close! You just have to trust me.” Luckily I found my knight in shining armor all by myself and completely forgot about Rory’s promise to me for the cost of a Looney. The next time I saw Rory he handed me a Looney and he very seriously said that I had broken the contract and he could no longer work for me! We had a great laugh as usual! It is this hilariously funny and sweet Rory that I will always miss! Our hearts and thoughts are with you Norma for the loss of your loving Rory! 

Norma and Rory.  The names were always said in tandem just like that.  My parents friends.  Always spoken of with love and admiration.  We visited them as often as we could considering that we resided in a small Northern Ontario town and they ... didn't.  Our visits were filled with laughter, stories of the past and curiosity of the future.

But the best memory I have of Rory is one all of my own.  I lived in London, Ontario in my 20's and was barely scraping by.  I was a college dropout and a punk rocker to boot.  Job pickings were slim to say the least.  My Mom was in Toronto for a few days so I hopped a Greyhound and met her and Rory for lunch.  He offered to give us a tour of Toronto which I thought would be pretty lame-o but I played along.  I was wrong.  He took one look at me and, without judgement, took us to Queen Street West.  The coolest, hippest scene in T.O.  Rory introduced me to my people.  We walked up and down the street and, at one point, I stopped to admire a beautiful pair of black leather buckle boots in the window of the coolest store of 'em all.  I wanted to go in and try them on but stopped myself because taking them off again would have been too heartbreaking.  

They were everything.  Everything that I wanted and needed.  Everything that I loved.  Everything that made me ... me.

Rory convinced me to go in to the store.  Then he convinced me to try them on.  I strutted around that store like I was Sheena The Punk Rocker, admiring myself from all angles.  And then ... Rory bought them for me.  This lovely, grounded, successful business man I had admired for so long bought me my dream boots.  Mom protested.  I protested (half-heartedly I'll admit).  But he did it anyway.

Rory validated me that day.  He saw me for who I was and helped me step into myself.  I thanked him later in life and let him know what it meant to me.

I've still got them.  As a reminder of who I was, am and can be.

Thank you again, Rory.



Where does one begin to share a memory when every encounter with Rory over the years has been one of great pleasure.  There are so many good memories of this cherished friend and our times together. 
 Rory brought so much fun and laughter to all of us when he arrived in Victoria from Ireland.   We loved him instantly, such a wonderful,  fun- loving character.   I think the most classic Rory moment was when he arrived as Mr. Collanderhead  at the bonfire at the Horne Lake cabin that Norma and Rory and the Hoyers were so generous in sharing with their friends.   I still can't think of that image without audibly laughing, even now. 
   He was a wonderful story teller, anyone who has heard his story of Goldilocks and three bears, with the Italian accent, will have to agree with me, just hilarious.    
As well as being a fun-loving character, Rory also possessed beautiful manners and mannerisms, always beautifully dressed, beautifully spoken, and his artistically crafted wooden boxes and tables were absolute works of perfection.   I think they spoke volumes about the caliber of Rory.  He was a lovely man and we will miss him forever.
Norma, I loved your annual tradition of writing an ode to Rory, you nailed it every year and I'd love to hear some of them again soon, I know they'll bring many, many memories of good times past.

With love and deepest sympathy Norma,

Bonnie and Des

Rory, my brother and friend - how sorry I am that you are gone, however the pain has eased thinking about the good times we had in Baie Comeau. I remember the time when you caught your first fish at Lac Savard and how proud you were.
Another one was when I lent you my car and you did not have any brakes. That was something.
You were always willing to have a good laugh and parties were fun for you. You had a quick wit. Even Jocelyne liked your personality and she is quite upset that life ended the way it did. She loved you Rory.
I remember a Christmas Eve in Niagara on the Lake when half pissed up we were arm in arm singing Xmas carols rambling down Johnson street That evening we even got kicked out of Beryl Scotts hotel.
Well I hope that you have a better time up there.
if i can thick of more, I will come back
RIP my brother.

Rory came into my life when he moved with the Bank of Nova Scotia to Dublin in the early 80's. He had the Irish name of Quinn, but sadly, a little green with the Irish way of life! I took it upon myself to help the lost sole, and so began a friendship that lasted over 30 years. I introduced Rory to the Dublin social scene, he was a one pint Guinness man when he came to Dublin, and am happy to report that the could hold his own (and a fair few pints) by the time he left Dublin!!  Many is the parties that was held in his residence in Dublin and we certainly had the craic there.  He was an excellent cook and he loved nothing more than to cook dinner for me and I certainly enjoyed eating them.  Not only did we work together, we also had a lot of fun in Dublin.! Rory embraced all that was Irish and as the saying goes, "He was more Irish than the Irish themselves". He brought his Dad and brother or for a visit, and we all did a bit of touring around. It was a very special event for the Three Quinn Men to come to Ireland. 
My friendship with Rory and Norma  brought me from California to Victoria, where I spent some time living with them. I met all their friends, and we had some wonderful times travelling up and down the coast, Island hopping,  eating lobsters and having a great time. I returned a few years later to celebrate my honeymoon with Rory and Norma spending two wonderful weeks with them and being spoiled.
A few years later, I returned to live in Victoria with my husband and two children,  the eldest Michael being Rory's Godson.  It was such a wonderful time, and a great experience for the boys, now being spoiled by " Uncle Rory and Auntie Norma" . We moved to Whistler, but continued to travel to Victoria to visit the Quinns.
Words fail me when I have to summarize what Rory has meant to me and my family.  He has been such a kind, generous, and funny friend. He had a wonderful sense of humour. A lot of laughs and tears over the years.  I will miss my friend forever

I met Rory and his wife Norma perhaps half a dozen times through Rory's brother Perry in Niagara on the Lake. I also had the pleasure of knowing Rory's parents, the elegant and engaging Quinns, Maury and Nancy.  Rory was always a whole ton of fun rolled up into one man who laughed easily and grabbed life with both hands. I'm glad I was too far away geographically  to see those hands unable to engage in the physical creativity that gave him so much satisfaction. I will always treasure the well-crafted little table he made for our front porch. I wish I'd known him longer. I wish I'd known him better. I'm thankful to have known his youthful, lively spirit at all.  Blessings Rory as you journey on.

Norma,
I never met Rory but hearing you talk of him, it was obvious the love you shared.
May your wonderful memories give you peace and comfort at this difficult time.
My sincere condolences go out to you and your family.   Take care of yourself Norma.

Cherrie


Due to the close friendship - right from high school - between Norma and my parents, Norma and Rory had almost celebrity status with us kids.  We heard about them from the time we were born and were so grateful for the times we’d cross the miles and manage to spend some time with them. I loved Rory’s ability to “find the funny” in anything, as well as how much he loved to help ease whatever difficulty someone was experiencing. Our whole family was fortunate to visit once over the Christmas holidays. During dinner, Rory gave each of us kids (then young adults without a lot of extra cash) a $50 bill and told us to spend it on something we never normally would or could. Then he asked us what our plans were. I told him there was a place by my work where I could get my car detailed for $50 - an extravagance outside my regular budget. Rory just about split a gut laughing and said, “If you can find a place to detail your car for fifty bucks, that’s the best fifty bucks I’ve ever spent!” And that’s the way I’ll always remember him; spreading the joy and finding the funny. 

We’ll always remember Rory for his generosity without being showy about it.  Years ago, one Christmas our whole family visited Norma and Rory while they were visiting Rory’s  parents in Niagara on the Lake. We had a good visit concluding in a wonderful lunch at a local inn.  When it came time to pay the bill, Harry asked for our check and the server said it had all been taken care of. Rory was so subtle about it we had no idea how he had done it.   It so impressed Harry, he adopted Rory’s subtle move and has used it often over the years.  He will continue to use it and we will both think of our lovely friend each time. 
Harry and Arleen Hurdon 

Being the newest entrant into the Quinn family affords me the honour to call this very special man, Rory Quinn, my brother-in-law.  Perry and I enjoyed spending the better part of a week in the company of Rory and Norma last July.  It was a special time indeed filled with laughter, stories and quiet reflective moments.  Our job was to keep Rory company while Norma could have a few days with her girlfriends listening to fabulous music up island.  

Spending time with Rory was an absolute joy.  Listening to those two brothers telling, correcting and retelling the old family stories was funny, amusing and insightful.  It’s hard to quiet Perry but his older brother had his number for sure!  Rory had lots of his own recollections of Gramma Lane and their Mom,  Nancy and the days living in Baie-Comeau.  The love and respect those brothers shared was palpable and having a glimpse into that will forever be a treasure.   Thank you, Rory for the truly unconditional love you showed Perry.  That twinkle in your eye, your beautiful smile and a heart filled with love will be stay me.  God Speed Ror


It's funny how you meet someone and there is an immediate spark of friendship. This happened to me about 30 years ago at the Ithika Restaurant when Norma introduced me to Rory and the friendship has lasted ever since. I'm sure that most people Rory met have shared this experience.  Even when alliances were confusing , he always remained a good friend.  
Favorite memories are linked to Horne Lake where we worked hard constructing walls and pathways during the day and played even harder in the evening drinking, smoking and Rory making friends with the neighbours. 
We missed him when he moved to Gisbsons and were delighted when Rory and Norma returned to Victoria. Although not the same Rory, I was always happy to be in his company. 
Amazing how that initial spark remains with me.
Cheers my friend.

I struggle with this as I remember my life growing up as the youngest of 3 boys.There are 8 years between Rory & me and his mentorship for his younger brother didn't really start until I was 17 in 1972. After recently been suggested by the boarding school I was attending that I need not apply for Grade 12, Rory & Norma stepped in and took me under their wing after being transferred from Sudbury to Mississauga as Rory's career was really getting established with Scotiabank. I credit Rory and Norma with helping me mature from a hormone addled youth into a (somewhat) respectable young adult. Saturday mornings were a tradition with shoe polishing, I had 1 pair, Rory had many. Rory also had a great relationship with his tailor, always so well turned out in his Hardy Amie suits. As we all matured, Garry, Rory & I thought it might be a great tradition to start at Christmastime at Mum and Dad's in Niagara-on-the Lake, that being to investigate every watering hole in NOTL Christmas Eve & sample any or all of their wares before moving on to the next. Fortunately everything was close by in this small town and the fun would continue as we staggered back to the family seat. Mum being very happy that her 3 boys were bonding and having fun. I don't remember anything we might have talked about, doesn't mater. In my early days when my financial position was less than stellar, Rory would often slip me a couple of 20's to ease the burden and never ask for it back. There is so much he did for me that I can never repay. The one time I did not take his sage advice was with purchase of my first car, a well used 1969 MGB. I didn't listen, he said it's gonna bankrupt you. Well it almost did. Used English cars are not investment grade. Sure was fun though although Kraft Dinner and I were very close at that time. Im getting to the end of my allowance on this site. Rory I love you, I thank you and here's a photo of you age 16 or so. xp

It was always a pleasure to be in the presence of Rory Quinn: a creative man who shared his enthusiasms with generosity. It was always a joy to make him laugh - a sound that gladdened all  with the good fortune to share in his mirth and good spirit. He was a good friend with a genuine depth of caring and kindness.
We had so much fun - and I am a fuller person for having Norma and Rory in my life.
Thank You! Go in Peace Rory.

Dear Norma:
I never had the pleasure of meeting Rory but apparently you married a "keeper". Fifty plus years of marriage is a huge accomplishment for the two of you to achieve. I am so sorry for your loss, cherish the good memories and take care of yourself. I hope to see you on the water soon.
Doris

Dearest Norma,
How very sad I am to read about Rory, his health struggles and your loss.
I had been thinking about the two of you lately.  I have and do treasure the beautiful box Rory made as a wedding gift for me.
With sincere condolences,
Sheila xo

Dear Norma,   to say that I was shocked to see the obituary in today's newspaper is an understatement.  I am so, so sorry to see it and my heart goes out to you.  I just thought Rory was a wonderful guy, his mischievous sense of humour and the twinkle in his eye; his love of Ireland and the friends he made there (I'm thinking of Bernard and Shelley but there may have been others); the corn roasts and hallowe'en parties that you both threw (although I don't think hallowe'en costumes were "his thing"); his kindness and seriousness when needed; his stories of his time in the banking business and in related activities; and his increasingly obvious talent when he turned his attention to woodworking.  

My very sincere condolences go out to you and to all the family.

Margie



So many sweet memories- starting with you tying up part of the engine  of the Volvo with my hairband so we could get past the middle of Saskatchewan on our honeymoon, our first years living together in Sudbury where we could hardly walk around the bed because the bedroom was so small, the fun we had after moving to Toronto and both Perry & Amy stayed with us for awhile.  Playing darts til the wee small hours with Ted & Stacey; the multitude of parties and celebrations with friends over the years; the Christmases in Niagara on the Lake when you, Perry & Garry would arrive late for your mom’s Christmas party after “male bonding” in the local pub and we would be wrapping presents at 3 a.m. because  your mom hadn’t quite gotten around to it; how you loved your cars and how excited you were when you bought your corvette; how crazy everyone thought we were when we both quit our jobs and took off for a year travelling around the U.S.; the silliness of using the kelp at Long Beach as whips with Shelley.  Our years at the cottage in Horne Lake with Sue & Dieter when Bon & Des would come up for New Years and we’d sit around a damp fire on the beach wearing umbrella hats with Fiskies and the gang.  
All of these happy times outweigh the last few years when you were in pain and trying hard to still be the old Rory - I love your courage in dealing with your illnesses, I love how there would still be flashes of the old mischievous and fun loving guy that I was lucky enough to share my life with. Wherever you are Rozo, you’ll always be my sweet baby and I’ll never stop loving you.  AML,
Nojo

In January 1995 Pastor Rory remarried Walt and I in front of our closest friends.
He stressed we should honour and OBEY....that part has been hard these past 24 years, but we are still together today.
He was an amazing man.


Rory leaves many memories (and not a single one of them, "bad"). Prominent in my mind, from youthful days spent together in Baie-Comeau was his outbursts of laughter. Thank you Rory, for adding so much positive energy to my psyche!!
Nils Bodtker

One of the things I liked about Rory was his desire to do the absolute best job he could. It didn't matter how much time he spent on a project. Even if he was almost finished and saw a mistake, he would rip it out and start again. To him the amount of time he spent on something was immaterial. What mattered was that it was the very best he could do. No wonder his finished wood-working pieces are so beautiful.

Dunkie and Rory had many talks about the challenges of living with Amy and Norma. One time Rory said, "The Robertson sisters. Thank god there's only two of them!"

For many years Norma and Rory threw two big parties a year that we looked forward to - Hallowe'en - even thought he didn't share Norma's love of dressing up - and the corn roast in August, which usually coincided with their anniversary. We thank them for years of fun times.

Rory was always willing to help family. When I needed a place to stay in my early 20s he and Norma let me stay with them till I got back on my feet. He did the same for Dale, my brother, at a very difficult time in his life.

OBITUARY

Rory James Quinn

July 18, 1946 – February 23, 2019

First Memorial Funeral Services & Garden of Memories

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