We first met Becky, Norrie’s daughter, through our daughter Marta. Three young girls Becky, Aarathi, and Marta, always kept together. Becky quickly realized that our youngest son, Marek, loved hockey and that his own father was not quite supportive of this passion. So one way or another, Norrie started to fill in Marek’s dad’s hockey obligations. Several times they went together to hockey matches and Marek loved every minute of the time spent with Norrie, to the point where I may have almost become a little bit jealous of the fun that Marek had with Norrie and of Marek’s exclamations how great Becky’s dad was and how enjoyable it was to be with him. It made me start wondering about who exactly this Norrie person was. And then I got to know him.
Some years ago we decided to make a patio in our backyard and we learned Norrie could do it. We were not sure because this could have been an awkward situation but, thanks to Norrie, it was not. We met and discussed the work and in the end he gave us a price. In most cases, I would consider this as an opening followed by some questions-and-answers and a lower price. This was not the case, from the way Norrie presented the project and its costs it was clear that there should not be any discussion about the costs. He was like the true master in their profession, honest and straightforward. His inner strength and conviction of own worth made us feel comfortable with one of our first large projects.
Other people were also comfortable in Norrie’s presence; he was jovial and fun loving. His daughters, their friends and other children (including Marek) doted on him; he was funny and very warm. And how would you not like someone who came to your house to meet you before his daughter were to go to India with two other friends and said that he was not really sure about that because “you cannot go to a place where they use spices instead refrigerators”. Joking aside, he was happy to see Becky, Aarathi and Marta go on this great trip. Whatever space there was, whatever distance you immediately felt like there is no any other way but to like the man. It felt from the beginning like you knew him for a long time. And whenever he came it was like an old friend came for a visit.
We wish so much we would meet Norrie more often. We never got a chance to get you to tell us about the old Ottawa and life in it; we live here and you could make it so much closer to us. There have not been many people like you; friendly, warm, gracious—great people. We will miss you. You and Linda you raised three amazing daughters and they, their husbands and children. They cannot fill the void you left but they make the world brighter in a way you did and you taught them so well.
Greta and Gregory
