James “Jim” Walter Norberg
It is with profound sadness that we announce that James “Jim” Walter Norberg passed away peacefully on May 31, 2015 in Armstrong, BC at the age of 92 years. Born in Revelstoke, BC on March 4, 1923, the son of Otto Norberg and Hanna Edstrom, who immigrated to Canada in 1903 from Sweden. Jim was the youngest of a family of 7 brothers and sisters: Edith, Alvin, Lillian, Ruth, Harry, and Johnny. He attended school in Revelstoke and after the war he attended Teachers College at the Victoria Normal School, in Victoria, BC. Jim is predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Isabella (Bella) who sadly passed away in 2008. Jim is also predeceased by his son Kenny, who passed away in 1970.
He is survived by his loving family: 2 daughters Christine (Norman) Cress of Victoria BC; Patricia (Robert) Cherry of Armstrong BC; his son Eric (Carol) Norberg of Coquitlam BC; 6 grandchildren, Rosalie (Matthew Prescott) Cress, Denise (Ryan) Leyenhorst, Sonia Holloway, Jessica, Scott and Johnny Norberg; 9 great grandchildren, Matthew, Nathan, Emily, Jacob, Bella, Marcus, Theodore, Rachel and Maxwell; sister-in-law Eva Sutherland of Nanaimo; and nieces, nephews and extended family.
Jim was a special man – wise, playful, caring, and smart, a great communicator, a good and loyal friend to so many, and a calm presence when needed. He was a high school teacher for over 30 years at Chilliwack Junior High School retiring in 1983. He later worked as a substitute teacher with the Courtenay School District in his retirement. He was a Gizeh Shriner, a Mason, a minor league hockey coach, a baseball umpire, a skier, and a clarinet player. He loved to work with his hands and was good at carpentry. He served honourably in the Second World War in the Air Force in Canada and in the Navy for 3 years on active duty on the High Seas on the HMCS St Croix and HMCS Wallaceburg. He was a brave person who faced adversity with strength and dignity.
And what a proud father and grandfather he was! Family was always first and foremost in his life. He liked to have grandchildren over for the summer holidays and would take them to swimming and gymnastics lessons and teach them how to ride a bike and mow the lawn. To know how much he loved us is ever so special. We all have a strong feeling that he will forever guide and watch over us.
A sincere thank you to Dr. Viljoen and all the staff at Pleasant Valley Manor who cared for him like he was family. A Memorial Service of Jim’s life will be held in the Chapel of Henderson’s Funeral Home, 45901 Victoria Ave, Chilliwack BC on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 2:00 PM, with a reception to follow in the Henderson’s Tea Room. Major Angus Haggarty, Branch 4 Royal Canadian Legion Padre, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim Norberg’s memory gratefully accepted to Shriners Care for Kids via Shriners of BC & Yukon Child Services Society (charitable registration no.: 825299670RR0002), operated by the Gizeh Shriners of BC & Yukon, 3550 Wayburn Dr, Burnaby BC V5G 3K9 (by phone: 604-291-7707 ext 125 or email: accounting@bcshriners.com or website: www.bcshriners.com)