NORBERT JULIAN WITTMAN

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NORBERT JULIAN WITTMAN September 25, 1927 - March 28, 2015 Norbert Julian Wittman was born on September 25, 1927 in Rockglen, Saskatchewan to Victoria (Gross) and Edward Wittman. He grew up on the family farm and was educated at the local school, Lacordaire. His parents retired to Winnipeg in 1944 and Norbert followed a few months later. He was the second youngest of eight children. He is survived by his brothers Edmund (Rose), Arthur (Doreen) and sister-in-law Mildred. He was predeceased by his sisters Amy Cloutier, Adele Cloutier, Mary Matthon, and brothers Joe and Julian. He worked in the construction industry for many years. In 1962 he began a 30 year career with Winnipeg Transit and retired in 1992. Norbert met the love of his life Lillian Bender in 1950 and they were married on January 27, 1951. They recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. They had a love to be envied by all. It was strong and unconditional and they survived every hardship by meeting it head on together. They set an amazing example of love, loyalty, forgiveness and strength for their entire family. Together they raised, with unconditional and unlimited love, their four children: Gary (Janis) and their children Madelyne (Rui) and son Ozzy, Kyla and children Nikole and Draven, son Peter (Kiara) and their daughter Madisson, Sharilyn (Francis) and their children Justin (Rosanne) and their daughter Kathryn, Jessica (Sam), and Kaitlin, Nancy and her son Kelly (Vivian), Debbie (Jody) and their children Krystal and Jennifer. Grandpa spent many years as an active and proud participant in his children's and grandchildren's lives. He joined with great enthusiasm in their baseball, hockey, football, school performances, dance recitals, graduations and loved spending time talking and laughing with each and every one of them. He was a strong man, often a man of few words but with an amazing sense of humour. We will miss his warm and loving hugs. Norbert was blessed for so many years to have such a caring physician as Dr. Clayton Dyck and the entire team at Kildonan Medical Centre. We thank each and every one of them as well as Seven Oaks Hospital 5th Floor Units 7 and 3, the home care aides and home Palliative Care nurses and entire team that allowed us to fulfill Norbert's wishes and bring him home for one last week before being admitted to Palliative Care at St. Boniface Hospital. There he finally found both relief from pain and his peace with an amazing team of doctors, nurses and support staff. They truly are the "heart" of the medical profession. Your empathy, professionalism and many warm hugs will never be forgotten. Special thanks to Dr. Suzi Pinnick who kept us all on track with her compassion, empathy, wisdom and words to live by to "take the path of least regret". A celebration of Norbert's life will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2W 3V7. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, 409 Tache Avenue, Room C1026, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6. Please indicate that the donation should be directed to the Palliative Care Endowment Fund in memory of Norbert Wittman. May he rest in peace

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 31, 2015