We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our Father, Grampa and Great Grampa. Norris was born November 25, 1932 in New Westminster BC and passed away on October 7, 2016 in Abbotsford BC. Norris is survived by his loving family: his daughters Natasha (Patrick), Rebecca (Bradley) and son Willie (Jennifer) his loving sister Marie, grandsons Gerard (Natalia), Justin and Lucas and granddaughters Jasmine, Katherine, Amelia, Jamie and Zoe, great grandchildren Madelyn, Aiden and Emma along with many wonderful Nieces and Nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife Ruth in 1996, and his brothers Gordon, Thomas, and Harvey.
Dad started his career in the BC Forest Service in the mid-fifties as an Assistant Ranger. After settling down and starting a family with his wife Ruth, Dad transferred to the Ministry of Lands and Forests in Courtenay, BC. Dad retired from the Provincial government in 1988 and continued to work independently as an Appraiser until the mid – 1990’s. Norris was active in the Comox Valley until moving to the lower mainland in 2008. He was instrumental in building the Comox Valley Homemakers society. He was a proud member of the BCGEU, BC Federation of Labour and the NDP. He was a proud Lax Kw’alaams Band member. Norris was always interested in what his children, grandchildren and extended family and friends were doing. Norris supported us all.
A service for Norris will be held at the IUOE Banquet Hall, 4333 Ledger Ave., Burnaby, BC on Friday, November 25, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a socially conscientious charity or cause of your choice.
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Lisa, Phillip, Emma and Lucy
Dear Elders and all,
It is a shock to hear of Norris’s passing. He was such a huge part of your family, and of our extended family.
He always had a good story for me and I will miss him.
Gabriel and Heather Van HOlderbeke
Hello Willie, Natasha, and Rebecca,
Many years have passed since your family was a part of our lives, but we have warm memories of you all. Our deepest sympathy to you for not only the loss of your dad, but also the passing of your lovely mother. We admired them both very much, and valued their contribution to the community.
We hope all of you are living rewarding lives continuing the heritage passed on to you. What a lovely clan of children and grandchildren you are leading through life!
Bronwen Beedle
Natasha, Willie and Rebecca:
My first job was working with your Father and Jim Egan in Courtenay. Two of us started fresh out of university (UBC and UofA) with our Forestry degrees and Norris hand held us through the learning experience of being land inspectors. Norris lived quite close to me and I remember days at your parents house in Comox, getting rides on snowy days and stopping at Portuguese Joe’s at Christmas. He was an accomplished story teller – he wove it into our learnings on the job.
He will be missed as he was such a fountain of knowledge.
I remember the three of you being a delight to him – he was so proud of your accomplishments. Yes all of you.
He was proud of his heritage and so should you be. Your Mother, Father and your Grandmother (whom I met once) were very down to earth, common sense people.
Thinking of the three of you and the extended family.
Terry Brooks
Dear Norris Elder’s Family:
My mother Lorna Brooks is very sad today to read about Norris’s passing in the newspaper today. She has been friends with Norris since she was a young adult. Norris was great comfort last year to her when my father Harvey Brooks passed. She had been mentioning that she hadn’t seen any of his Facebook posts and couldn’t find his phone number (she has vision problems) and was hoping he was going to call soon. She said: Norris was a very kind, outgoing, good person and will be very missed. Condolences to Norris’s children and family from Lorna & Harvey Brooks’s Family.
Mavis Manzer Pickett
Norris and I shared flower and garden pictures on facebook. Also quotes and
thoughts on losing a loved one. We went to Duke of Connaught together. Our
birthdays are close – Norris – Nov. 25 and mine Dec. 1. I will be there on the 25th to remember him. I shall certainly miss our messaging.
Shauna and Doug Veale
When I moved by myself with Jennifer (7) and Jonathan (3) to Carthew St, in Comox, in 1971, I awaiting the return of my husband Doug from an extended tour abroad. We were all feeling unsettled having left our familiar surrounding in Ottawa so we took a break from unpacking to sit on a log on the beach at the end of the street. There was Ruth with Natasha and Willie with Cindy, their black lab. swimming in the chuck. It was the beginning of a long friendship. When we left Comox, years later, Natasha would call my Mother in Royston to determine when Jennifer would be visiting. Later Rebecca arrived and completed the Elder family. While doing a cross country holiday we reunited with the family when they stayed with us in Belleville, Ontario. When we retired to Comox in the late seventies we always looked forward to Natashas regular visits. Since Norris moved we miss his smiling face and friendly smiles, we always cherished our friendship with the Elder family, Our sincere condolences to the family on losing a wonderful man.
Marie Campbell
I’m so sorry for your loss
Norris was a true friend and I loved him dearly !
I feel blessed that he was a part of my life for many years we have many stories together many laughs and he was always there for me
I know you’re proud of the man he was
His legacy lives on with the beautiful family he created
Norris was always about family
Warm blessings to all
Bob Weston
I spent 37 years in Hwys Engineering and met Norris shortly after transferring to the Courtenay Hwys District in 1969. My first impression was ‘I like this guy’. I remember his quirky, If I may use that word, sense of humour. I also remember that when visiting the Courtenay Lands Branch office Norris would treat you like you were the most important person he would deal with that day. There were no satellite images nor digital mapping available for the public. We relied air photos and composite mapping. Norris and his work mate, Jim Egan, would keep us apprised of the most current photos and would lend them to us, or arrange to get us our own copies. Composite mapping, drawn by hand, was shared between Lands Branch, Regional District, BC Land Surveyors, BC Assessment and Hwys in an attempt to be as current as possible. Norris eagerly shared Lands drawings for this cause. I sorely missed Norris when Lands Branch closed the Courtenay office. He had a most recognizable voice and I instantly knew it was Norris when he would occasionally phone for assistance after leaving Courtenay. In fact I can almost hear him now. We all have worked with hundreds and hundreds of people, and there are small number really are worth remembering, Norris is one those I will remember.
My condolences
Bob Weston, Courtenay
Heidi
Thinking of you all during this time. I have known Noris since 1968, I have so many great memories of some great times spent at the Elder
house. He will be very missed. Lots of love Heidi, and Ray
Marlene Seibold
Dear Rebecca, Natasha, Willie and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. It must be very hard for you.
Norris was such a lovely, gentle man. I loved him like a brother. It saddens me that he is no longer with us. I really miss him. My love goes out to you. I hope to be able to come on Friday. Blessings, Marlene
Brian Woodason and family
Norris and his family were close neighbors in Comox and he was a valued business associate to Brian in Victoria and Courtenay. He had a phenomenal store of B.C. knowledge accumulated during his year’s of employment with the Provincial Government, which he shared with me while I was employed as an Appraisal consultant in Victoria and the Comox Valley.
It was his relationship with Bill Hartley, who became the Minister of Public Works for B.C., that led to my employment as a Property consultant to the Government.
All of my family, Late wife Maggie, children Paul, Carol, Keith, Ian and Heidi enjoyed their time spent with Norris and his family, camping and socializing from our first meeting as neighbors in 1968.
It was a priviilge to have known Norris and he will be sorely missed by us all, We extend our sincerest condolences to his family
Jean Ryan
Sending Condolences from the Ryan family in LaxKwalaams . Norris always called to see what was happening an kept in touch by phone or on line. Miss seeing his comments in the morning online . Your Dad n my Dad lived a good life, many great memories we. Will cherish they are now rejoicing together with there parents. Sending love n hugs as you celebrate his life ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Mike and Anne Elder
Dear Natasha,Rebecca,andWillie and family I am very sorry for your loss.
I have great memories of Uncle Norris and Aunt Ruth bringing you out to Manitoba or my parents taking us to Comox.
In later years when I would see Uncle Norris he always had great stories of the good old days.
He was always very proud of his kids and grandkids.
He will be missed!
Norris William Elder
There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men that moil for gold…
Happy Birthday Dad!!!