December 11, 1924 - July 16, 2018
Norm was born December 11, 1924, minutes before his twin sister Betty, in Pleasanthome, Oregon. When Norm was four, the family moved to the Black Diamond oil fields in Alberta, then on to the Creston Valley where he attended school to Grade 10. He worked at various jobs, with his long arms and legs he became top apple picker in the valley. In 1943 he joined the R.C.A.F. He had wanted to be a tail gunner but was too tall, so, because his father was a cook he became a cook. He served overseas in Germany and England.
In England Norm met his first wife, Rose Catherine Cameron, also in the R.C.A.F. They both returned to Canada on the ship "Georgic" and were married in Edmonton on his 22nd birthday. They settled in Creston and raised six children. Norm worked various jobs, picking fruit, cooking, Taks Store, Creston Electric and Valley Appliances, to name a few. He started a plumbing business in 1962 which evolved into Husband Brothers Plumbing and Heating with his brother Bob. Norm's wife Rose died in 1977.
Norm remarried, for a short time, to Doris Currie. The new love of his life became Catherine Mary Edeburn, whom he married on May 9, 1980. With Cay he gained two more children. Norm was a strong family man; he loved to have relatives visit and to tease and joke with his siblings and friends. Proud of his daughters and son, he saw them often after they left home. He was a rock if you were in trouble, and a father figure to several of his nephews and younger friends. He loved to fish, golf, play cards, dance and read and in later years kept himself busy by holding his grandchildren, hooking rugs, doing needle point and selling plumbing supplies.
Norm was involved in his community. He was an active Legion member and president from 1961 to 1964, served on Creston town council, was on the Creston hospital board, the board of the Endicott Home, and in the Knights of Columbus. He was recently honoured as Citizen of the Year.
Norm lived a full life until he had the misfortune to fall and crack his head. This left him deaf in one ear and increasingly dizzy, so that he gradually stopped enjoying many of his activities. Another serious fall four years ago became the beginning of the end for Norm. He died peacefully, a resident of Swan Valley Lodge.
Norm was predeceased by his parents, Norman and Clara Husband, his first wife Rose, Doris Currie, his sisters Jessica and Jean, and his brothers Bob and Jim.
He is survived by his wife Catherine, five daughters: Shirley (Ray), Caroline (Terry), Maureen (Gary), Donna, and Jean (Gary), one son Brian (Yvonne), two stepchildren, Loretta and Ben, fifteen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, his older brother Bill, twin sister Betty and too numerous to count nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Come help us celebrate Norm's life at the Creston Legion Hall on August 4, 2018 between 1:00 and 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Swan Valley Equipment Fund.