NORMAN OMAN

Condolences & Memories (9 entries)

• Norm was one of the good guys. If immortality were an option, he deserved to be an immortal. Thanks for making so many aware of prostate cancer and giving so many hope. And thanks for caring and laughing. You will be missed. - Posted by: Rob Jacks () on: Feb 26, 2013

• I wish I had gotten to know Norm better. Until recently, he was my cousin's (Jack Chapman's) best friend, so I saw him at family gatherings, but didn't get to know him well. Following Jack's passing, and my own retirement, we spent some time over coffee, talking. I found him to be bright and insightful, inquisitive and creative, a man of real integrity, a man with a big heart. It was a pleasure and honour to get to know him. I just wish that there had been more opportunities and more time. Rest in peace, Norm. - Posted by: Bruce Sarbit (friend) on: Feb 25, 2013

• It's hard to believe that we'll never again be talking and laughing over lunch. I'll miss that twinkle in your eye when you were about to tell one of your stories. Thanks for all your support over the last couple of years. You were a good friend. - Posted by: Don Orloff (colleague/friend) on: Feb 25, 2013

• I worked on the set construction for many of the great plays Norm presented at Kildonan East School. Norm was very dedicated to the students and worked very hard with them in the rehearsing of the plays. Norm Black - Posted by: Norm Black (Fellow teacher) on: Feb 24, 2013

• MY UNIVERCITY BUDDY, 2012 FALL U UF W, I ENJOYED YOUR COMPANY, THERE & WORKING OUT WITH YOU AT THE RADY CENTRE, LOTS OF LAUGHS. EDDY & I ARE IN MESA AZ. SO WE MUST SAY FAREWELL TO YOU FROM HERE. RIP LAWRENE WERIER - Posted by: lawrence werier (friend) on: Feb 24, 2013

• Our mortality is an enigma. We exist as long as we are remembered. Our dear friends Harvey and Shelly and their families have our sincere condolences.and prayers. Bruce & Cynthia M - Posted by: Bruce & Cynthia Miltenberg (Family friend) on: Feb 23, 2013

• Words can't express how much I will miss my friend. For 35 years we loved each other like brothers. With us there was never too much conversation, too much emotion, too much honesty, too many laughs, or too much of seing each other. Both Norm and I liked our days filled with people, activity and passion. In recent years we lived next door to each other. Any vacant space in our day we would phone up and get together several times a week. He would say "Paul, do you want to come out and play". I have wonderful memories that I will cherish. Goodbye, my wonderful friend! - Posted by: Paul LaPorte (friend) on: Feb 23, 2013

• Of all the great things Norm was- the best thing was- he was a good friend - Posted by: Doug (Fellow KEC teacher) on: Feb 23, 2013

• Three Phases of KN (Knowing Norm) Phase 1 Norm and my path have crossed many times and in often widely different circumstance. It all began when I attended St. Johns "Tech" High School from 1956 until 1959. During that era Norm was the owner/pharmacist of Salter Drugs on Church Avenue across the street from the school. This student refuge was affectionately known as "Club Salter Drugs" to those of us who were often found there at the "soda fountain" having a smoke and a snack. Phase 2 Norm, learned to love students and the whole "karma" of young people that hung out there that he later quit being a pharmacist and got his "teaching certificate". His first teaching position found Norm, myself, Bob Milan and Paul Weitzel as the "powerhouse" science department at John Henderson Jr. High in East Kildonan. While it was expected for teachers to oversee extra-curricular activities Norm who had a love for "theatre" amongst many other things took on the huge job of directing the musical OLIVER at the school. My role at that time was helping out with sound and lighting for the production so we became closer friends with a new common interest. OLIVER was a big hit and the boy who played Oliver, Craig Oliphant, later began a career as a teacher in the River East SD and a regular perfomer at Rainbow Stage. Norm then moved on to a position as drama teacher at Kildonan East Regional Secondary School where he put on many more excellent productions. (and I often borrowed his spotlight) for my technical input at other at various schools where I was teaching. Our friendship went outside of school where we often enjoyed each others company at his family cottage in Gimli with his wife, Reeva, at the time and his children. Some years later Norm got married again to Joanna Burns, who incidentally I knew as the City of Winnipeg's town planner for East Kildonan. Phase 3 And then there was Phase 3 of our relationship, Norm founded the Prostate Cancer Support Group which I had joined for obvious reasons when my PSA skyrocketed. Once more I could enjoy Norm's humour and skills. My admiration for his amazing contributions to Winnipeg are very strong!! He carried on with his involvement with this group for many years, growing it to include many thankful men and women who accompanied their husbands to the meetings on Thurdays, once a month, at Seven Oaks Hospital who shared the common goal of beating this disease and educating new men who joined the group. The culmination of his effort was helping to establish the Prostate Cancer wing at Cancer Care Manitoba. Norm, on behalf of all who were fortunate to know you, we will always remember. You will be sadly missed by us and your family. Your accomplishments will live on as part of Winnipeg's history. THANKS FROM ALL OF US FOR BEING "YOU"! - Posted by: Ron Bodner (colleague and friend for over 40 years) on: Feb 23, 2013