Norman Douglas Mullins

Norman passed away peacefully on January 29, 2017 in North Vancouver. He was 87.

He was much loved by his wife of 65 years, Julia, sons Douglas (Elaine), Stephen and

Christopher (Leslie) as well as granddaughters Heidi and Camille. He is also survived

by his sister Ann Hill and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his

brothers Orville and William. Norman attended elementary school in Vancouver. His

mother was a major factor in encouraging him to attend and complete high school and

university. He was proud of his attendance at Vancouver Technical School at which he

was granted the good citizenship award when he graduated. He received his Bachelor

of Arts degree in 1950 and Bachelor of Laws degree in 1951 from the University of

British Columbia. He married Julia Oliver on September 21, 1951. He was called to the

Bar May 17, 1952 and appointed Queen's Counsel (federal) on December 19, 1969.

After articling and starting a law practice, he twice ran for election to be a member of

Parliament. He ran as a conservative in a riding that had a long and deep history of

electing NDP candidates to Parliament. He did not win but he was in the fight.

Norman's musical experience began at an early age. In grade three, he learned to play

the mellophone (similar to a French horn) in the Grandview band in Vancouver. This

led to one of the highlights of his life which was his 10 year membership in the Kitsilano

Boys Band under the direction of Arthur Delamont. The five month band tour of the UK

and Holland in 1950 was a frequent topic of conversation throughout his lifetime. In the

years after the tour, he attended many reunions of this group and sometimes hosted

or helped organize some of them. Norman practiced law with a passion in private

practice (civil and criminal), with the Federal Government‘s Department of Justice and

in corporate law with Canadian Pacific. At Justice, he was Regional Director of the

Vancouver office. At Canadian Pacific, he was Regional Counsel for BC and Alberta,

based in the Vancouver office. At age 65 when he retired from Canadian Pacific, he

immediately moved into his new law office. He continued to practice private law for

another 20 years. He loved court work and was a member of the BC Bar for over 60

years. His legal work took him from Vancouver to Kelowna to Ottawa and then back to

Vancouver. He retired at the end of 2014. Also, during his life, he was a member of the

Lions Clubs in Kelowna, Ottawa and Vancouver and a director of the Kelowna Boys

Club. He was a member of the Vancouver and West Vancouver Kiwanis Clubs. During

his married life at home, he personally finished basements, lawns and landscaping at

three of the family's houses. He built a motor boat from drawings and completed over

100 feet of stone walls and stairways which still stand at the West Van house. Norman

also stitched dozens of pieces of needlepoint and petit point usually depicting flowers,

fruit or Canadian scenery. All of this was done with his own hands. Norman had a

passion for history and was an avid reader on this subject and many others. He

particularly enjoyed reading books on major historical figures and events of the 18th,

19th and 20th centuries. His command of the English language was exceptional and

served him well throughout his life. He and Julia traveled extensively in Europe, the UK

and across Canada and the U.S., often with their sons and their spouses and friends.

Norman and Julia hosted many family Christmases at locations such as Quebec City,

Ottawa, Whistler, Harrison Hot Springs and West Vancouver. They travelled to Ottawa

and Montreal many times to visit sons Chris and Doug and their families including

celebrations with the Lemieux family in Montreal. Through all of these activities, he

developed a large circle of friends, neighbors and colleagues many of whom

predeceased him. He loved dogs and backyard wildlife like Stellars Jays, raccoons,

squirrels, deer, ducks and even bears. Norman was an excellent and generous

husband, father and grandfather. All three of his sons chose very different paths in life

but none of them chose to be lawyers. He always expressed enormous pride in

whatever educational, sporting or career choices his sons made. Douglas became a

mechanical engineer in the railroad industry, working in Montreal and Chicago.

Stephen became a pilot in both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, also sold

electronics and helicopter landing pads. Christopher worked with computer systems

in the banking industry as well as for the Canadian Armed Forces, mostly in Ottawa

where he has risen to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Norman's generous support was

unconditional. All of this applied to his two granddaughters Heidi and Camille as well as

his daughters-in-law, Elaine and Leslie. On two occasions, Norman planned, organized

and hosted singing performances of Elaine in Vancouver. These were attended by

large groups of family members, friends and colleagues. On September 21, 2016

Norman and Julia celebrated 65 years of marriage, a very exceptional

accomplishment. Together, they supported and loved each other and ensured that

home life for the family was secure and stimulating, no matter where they lived. The

funeral will be held at Hollyburn Funeral Home 1805 Marine Dr., West Vancouver, BC

on Friday, February 10 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Capilano View cemetery in

West Vancouver. The Mullins family thanks the caregivers and staff at Sunrise of Lynn

Valley seniors residence for their capable and devoted care of Norman during his last

months and for their support of the family after he passed away. Special thanks go to

Norman's Care Manager, MariaLisa. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that friends

and colleagues donate to their favourite charity in Norman's name. If friends could

visit an animal shelter and take a dog for a walk, Norman would be pleased.