Obituary for John Edward Norrie
John Edward Norrie....”Bud”
March 17/36 - March 10/21
The second son of immigrant parents, John Edward Norrie was a man of multiple talents, great work ethic and a willingness to help many. Born in Edmonton on March 17, 1936, “Bud” was quickly renamed by his older brother who invited others to come see his new “Buddy”. The son of Scottish born father and Russian born mother, learned early the value and satisfaction of honest, hard work. Bud never passed by a driver with a flat tire, never shirked undertaking a difficult job and never failed those depending on him.
Living in Edmonton until the age of 12, Bud’s family moved to Lacombe, Alberta where his father managed the Empress hotel. Although Bud had always loved to take things apart and tinker, it was in Lacombe that he met an older man who guided him in true mechanics....first with motorcycles, then automobiles. The family suffered the loss of their father in December 1950, and Bud stepped up to help support his mother and young sister by quitting school at the end of grade 9 and going to work on a seismic crew in northern Alberta. Bud never looked back and not long before his death, he said one of the things he loved the most about his life was working.
Bud would have a long and successful work history with Alberta Government Telephones, later Telus, spanning 27 years. It was during the very early years that AGT took Bud to work in Olds where he met another AGT employee who was a telephone operator, Marilyn Coates. The two quickly fell in love and married on November 20, 1954, both only 18 years of age. The young couple had 2 daughters and a son by April,1958. As AGT was establishing phone service in small centres, Bud was being sent to dozens of locations with his crew; staying long enough to establish phone service, then moving on to the next location. Some jobs were completed in a few weeks, others in a few months. Marilyn and the children traveled along with Bud who would set up their small trailer at each community. Bud and Marilyn later would laugh as they told the stories of constant motion, saying they had lived in 34 towns during the first 4 years of their marriage. In 1960, Bud and Marilyn bought a house on the south edge of Calgary (Southwood) where they lived for 7 years, until AGT promoted Bud and moved him to Edmonton. An office job did not suit Bud as he thrived on the rigours of hard, outdoor work. Bud really loved climbing poles and was exceptionally skilled at this risky job. One of Bud’s regrets expressed in his 80’s was that he loaned his climbing spurs to a man who never returned them - he would have liked to have held them again. After a short stay in Edmonton, Bud requested to be moved back to Calgary and within a year was given the Carstairs/Didsbury district where he worked until 1978.
Children raised and gone, Bud quit AGT and embarked on an exciting adventure to build a log home with Marilyn. In 1978 they bought a quarter section north of Leslieville and began work on their dream home, building in the summer and contracting with AGT, then Telus, over the winter. This was no small task, yet together with his hard working wife, Bud’s ingenuity, skill and excellent problem solving ability, they brought about the fulfillment of their dream. Everyone who had the privilege of visiting “Homestead Acres” marvelled at the excellent workmanship and beauty of their log home. Bud and his son would go on to build 4 more log homes for others. Bud sold his home in 2018, two years after Marilyn passed away as he had lost his sight and began having health issues from COPD.
During the years at Leslieville, Bud took various jobs. Working for Teskey brothers in Rocky Mountain House, Bud delivered anhydrous and fuel/propane to many farms. From 1994 to 1998 he delivered fire trucks all over North America for Superior from Red Deer. Bud had been slowly losing his eye sight to macular degeneration and in 2002 he chose to stop driving knowing the safety of others was a concern. As with any other challenge Bud faced in life, blindness was not going to conquer him. Although he had no central vision, Bud continued to mechanic and restored numerous tractors by feel and memory. Sometimes he needed Marilyn to find a dropped bolt or put his hand on an engine part he could not find. Many, many family and neighbours were blessed by the help Bud gave fixing their vehicles. He amazed everyone!
Bud moved into Rocky Mountain House in the fall of 2018, staying firstly with a kind friend until an apartment became available at Ravines in the Park. He really enjoyed living in this community and set about to make numerous friends. Playing his banjo with a group of senior musicians, Bud loved to give others the enjoyment of hearing songs gone by. As his oxygen levels became more challenging, Bud would stand on his Segway and skillfully motor down the apartment hallway, in and out of buildings, along sidewalks, and even pushing the cart in Costco while shopping with his daughter. He never failed to draw a crowd of amazed and curious folks wanting to talk to him about his cool mode of transportation.
Sadly, this last year saw Bud’s health decline sharply. Physically he grew weak but mentally stayed as sharp as ever! After a stay in the hospital in late February, Bud decided he was not going back and made all the arrangements to move into hospice care at the Good Samaritan Clearwater Centre in Rocky. Bud was only in care for seven days, and although his 85th birthday would have been St Patrick’s day, he got his birthday wish early.
Bud was pre-deceased by his wife Marilyn in 2016 and his grand son Ryan Douglas 2006. He is survived by his daughter Linda (Michael) Ogilvie; grand son Paul (Jocelyn) Ogilvie, great grand children Mattea and Carlin; grand son Robert (Tammy Niemeyer) Ogilvie, great grand children Koaltyn, Brodie and Gaige; grand daughter Lindsey (Jeff) Gerber, great grand children Owen and Keira. Daughter Leslie Norrie; grand daughter Christa Owsley, great grand children Barrett and Lane McNeill; grand daughter Camille Owsley; grand son Zan Owsley (Casi Bouchie), great grand children Joshua (Hoban-Bouchie) and Rowan. Son Douglas (Susan) Norrie; grand son Jessie (Brittany Verhaeghe) Norrie; great grand children Wade, Athena, Axtyn
(Opdendries) and Zayda; grand son Jason (Hanson); grand daughter Haley (Hanson). Bud is also survived by his brother Donald Norrie and sister Beverly (Marv) Bird, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. A family loved by Bud.
Bud is already being sadly missed by family and his many friends. Thank you Bud for all you added to so many peoples’ lives.....we hope you find your way to Marilyn, Ryan and little Oreo. Safe travels.
The CNIB helped Bud immeasurably over the years and donations can be made in his name in lieu of flowers. The family invites you to view and share stories, condolences and pictures by visiting www.choicememorial.com then find John Norrie. When COVID restrictions lift, the family will hold a celebration of Bud’s amazing life. Everyone who had the privilege of knowing Bud will be welcome!
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Bud, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
March 17/36 - March 10/21
The second son of immigrant parents, John Edward Norrie was a man of multiple talents, great work ethic and a willingness to help many. Born in Edmonton on March 17, 1936, “Bud” was quickly renamed by his older brother who invited others to come see his new “Buddy”. The son of Scottish born father and Russian born mother, learned early the value and satisfaction of honest, hard work. Bud never passed by a driver with a flat tire, never shirked undertaking a difficult job and never failed those depending on him.
Living in Edmonton until the age of 12, Bud’s family moved to Lacombe, Alberta where his father managed the Empress hotel. Although Bud had always loved to take things apart and tinker, it was in Lacombe that he met an older man who guided him in true mechanics....first with motorcycles, then automobiles. The family suffered the loss of their father in December 1950, and Bud stepped up to help support his mother and young sister by quitting school at the end of grade 9 and going to work on a seismic crew in northern Alberta. Bud never looked back and not long before his death, he said one of the things he loved the most about his life was working.
Bud would have a long and successful work history with Alberta Government Telephones, later Telus, spanning 27 years. It was during the very early years that AGT took Bud to work in Olds where he met another AGT employee who was a telephone operator, Marilyn Coates. The two quickly fell in love and married on November 20, 1954, both only 18 years of age. The young couple had 2 daughters and a son by April,1958. As AGT was establishing phone service in small centres, Bud was being sent to dozens of locations with his crew; staying long enough to establish phone service, then moving on to the next location. Some jobs were completed in a few weeks, others in a few months. Marilyn and the children traveled along with Bud who would set up their small trailer at each community. Bud and Marilyn later would laugh as they told the stories of constant motion, saying they had lived in 34 towns during the first 4 years of their marriage. In 1960, Bud and Marilyn bought a house on the south edge of Calgary (Southwood) where they lived for 7 years, until AGT promoted Bud and moved him to Edmonton. An office job did not suit Bud as he thrived on the rigours of hard, outdoor work. Bud really loved climbing poles and was exceptionally skilled at this risky job. One of Bud’s regrets expressed in his 80’s was that he loaned his climbing spurs to a man who never returned them - he would have liked to have held them again. After a short stay in Edmonton, Bud requested to be moved back to Calgary and within a year was given the Carstairs/Didsbury district where he worked until 1978.
Children raised and gone, Bud quit AGT and embarked on an exciting adventure to build a log home with Marilyn. In 1978 they bought a quarter section north of Leslieville and began work on their dream home, building in the summer and contracting with AGT, then Telus, over the winter. This was no small task, yet together with his hard working wife, Bud’s ingenuity, skill and excellent problem solving ability, they brought about the fulfillment of their dream. Everyone who had the privilege of visiting “Homestead Acres” marvelled at the excellent workmanship and beauty of their log home. Bud and his son would go on to build 4 more log homes for others. Bud sold his home in 2018, two years after Marilyn passed away as he had lost his sight and began having health issues from COPD.
During the years at Leslieville, Bud took various jobs. Working for Teskey brothers in Rocky Mountain House, Bud delivered anhydrous and fuel/propane to many farms. From 1994 to 1998 he delivered fire trucks all over North America for Superior from Red Deer. Bud had been slowly losing his eye sight to macular degeneration and in 2002 he chose to stop driving knowing the safety of others was a concern. As with any other challenge Bud faced in life, blindness was not going to conquer him. Although he had no central vision, Bud continued to mechanic and restored numerous tractors by feel and memory. Sometimes he needed Marilyn to find a dropped bolt or put his hand on an engine part he could not find. Many, many family and neighbours were blessed by the help Bud gave fixing their vehicles. He amazed everyone!
Bud moved into Rocky Mountain House in the fall of 2018, staying firstly with a kind friend until an apartment became available at Ravines in the Park. He really enjoyed living in this community and set about to make numerous friends. Playing his banjo with a group of senior musicians, Bud loved to give others the enjoyment of hearing songs gone by. As his oxygen levels became more challenging, Bud would stand on his Segway and skillfully motor down the apartment hallway, in and out of buildings, along sidewalks, and even pushing the cart in Costco while shopping with his daughter. He never failed to draw a crowd of amazed and curious folks wanting to talk to him about his cool mode of transportation.
Sadly, this last year saw Bud’s health decline sharply. Physically he grew weak but mentally stayed as sharp as ever! After a stay in the hospital in late February, Bud decided he was not going back and made all the arrangements to move into hospice care at the Good Samaritan Clearwater Centre in Rocky. Bud was only in care for seven days, and although his 85th birthday would have been St Patrick’s day, he got his birthday wish early.
Bud was pre-deceased by his wife Marilyn in 2016 and his grand son Ryan Douglas 2006. He is survived by his daughter Linda (Michael) Ogilvie; grand son Paul (Jocelyn) Ogilvie, great grand children Mattea and Carlin; grand son Robert (Tammy Niemeyer) Ogilvie, great grand children Koaltyn, Brodie and Gaige; grand daughter Lindsey (Jeff) Gerber, great grand children Owen and Keira. Daughter Leslie Norrie; grand daughter Christa Owsley, great grand children Barrett and Lane McNeill; grand daughter Camille Owsley; grand son Zan Owsley (Casi Bouchie), great grand children Joshua (Hoban-Bouchie) and Rowan. Son Douglas (Susan) Norrie; grand son Jessie (Brittany Verhaeghe) Norrie; great grand children Wade, Athena, Axtyn
(Opdendries) and Zayda; grand son Jason (Hanson); grand daughter Haley (Hanson). Bud is also survived by his brother Donald Norrie and sister Beverly (Marv) Bird, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. A family loved by Bud.
Bud is already being sadly missed by family and his many friends. Thank you Bud for all you added to so many peoples’ lives.....we hope you find your way to Marilyn, Ryan and little Oreo. Safe travels.
The CNIB helped Bud immeasurably over the years and donations can be made in his name in lieu of flowers. The family invites you to view and share stories, condolences and pictures by visiting www.choicememorial.com then find John Norrie. When COVID restrictions lift, the family will hold a celebration of Bud’s amazing life. Everyone who had the privilege of knowing Bud will be welcome!
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Bud, please visit www.choicememorial.com.