NORMAN HENRY SWEETLAND

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NORMAN HENRY SWEETLAND It is with great sorrow that the family of Norman H. Sweetland announces his passing on March 22, 2014 at the age of 93. Norman is survived by his devoted and loving wife Jean; his children Dona, Gail, Norma Jean, and Bob (Ainsley), his brother Harold of Edmonton, Alberta, his grandchildren Janet (Phil), Katherine, Trevor (Samahra), Madeline, and Ian, as well as his nephew Harold Jr., niece Judy, sister-in-law Joyce Dulmage, and beloved nieces and nephews in the United States. Norman was born in Winnipeg on January 7, 1921 to Henry and Bertha Sweetland, recent immigrants at the time to Winnipeg from Liverpool, England. The family soon moved to Warren, Manitoba, where Norman spent the first ten years of his life at the family farm, and had many happy experiences. The Sweetlands returned to Winnipeg, and Norman began working at the age of 18 as a bicycle delivery boy for Gregory Cartwright Stationers. He continued working with them for 47 years, the latter part of that time as president and co-owner. He retired in 1986 after selling his half of the business. In 1939, Norman met his future wife Jean Katherine Dulmage at the Winnipeg Roller Rink, where their shared love of music and dance began. They went on to marry in 1944, and enjoyed 69 years of marriage, four children, and five grandchildren together. They were a couple who loved each other greatly, and who remained devoted as partners and friends for the duration of their time together. During the early days of their courtship, they were separated one summer, he at Winnipeg Beach and she at Victoria Beach with their respective families, during which time Norman wrote Jean what could only be described as a series of love letters, and clearly lamented the distance between them. He was a poet at heart, and wrote beautifully, despite having no formal training. Norman was a formidable athlete, with most of his accomplishments deriving from tennis. He and his partner were seeded #1 in Manitoba throughout the 1960s, and also won the Saskatchewan Open during that time. Norman was the Director of the Winnipeg Canoe Club for ten years beginning in the 1960s, during which time he represented a total of five organizations in a board capacity, as well as chairing the Winnipeg Badminton Association. Under his chairmanship Winnipeg hosted The Canadian Open, which welcomed players from around the world. That was an event Norman was very proud to be associated with. Norman was also the Director of the Manitoba Office Products Association during the 1960s. Those years were a very busy and very rewarding time in Norman's life, as he enjoyed both professional success, and the rewards of his family, including traveling the world with his darling wife Jean. Norman loved his family immensely, and was very proud of all of his children and grandchildren. Some of his favourite memories were of times spent at the family cottage at Victoria Beach, surrounded by his loved ones, along with his time on the tennis courts at the Winnipeg Canoe Club, where he formed many lasting friendships. His family will cherish their time with him, and remember him as he was all of his life; a man with a great depth of character, integrity, sensitivity, a wonderful sense of humour, and above all, an enduring love for his family. The Sweetland family wishes to thank the caring and compassionate staff at The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, with special mention to Justin, Rosalinda and Lorrie, as well as the wonderful staff at The Wellington, for all of their kindness to Norman in the last years of his life. A celebration of Norman's life will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2014, at Thomson "In the Park" Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd., reception to follow on site. A private family interment will take place at a later date. For those who may wish to do so, donations may be made in Norman's name to Agape Table and the Winnipeg Humane Society. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C 0X4 783-7211 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 27, 2014