NORMAN ROBERT ADDAWAY

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NORMAN ROBERT ADDAWAY February 9, 1934 - June 13, 2000 Peacefully, Dad left this life for his journey home to his Creator. He was born to George and Frances Addaway very late in their lives (his father was 50 and his mother was 42). Most of his brothers and sisters were grown up and had left home by the time Dad was born. He was predeceased by his mother and father; brothers, Jimmy and Pete; sisters, Margaret and Beatrice. His sister June resides in British Columbia. Dad grew up on Roseberry St. in St. James until he was 16 when his parents moved to British Columbia. He travelled between British Columbia and Winnipeg many times because he was in love with his soon-to-be wife Ruth. He joined the Air Force in 1951, serving in the Korean War which soon led to the passion of his life - air traffic control. Were all a little envious of the few people who actually enjoy going to work - and that he did. Air traffic control was his life. He loved the action of the tower and as he climbed the ranks and achieved many of his career goals, he always yearned for the old days, the tower - when they had to climb up a ladder to get to the tower - and had to go to the bathroom standing on the edge of the tower because you couldnt leave your radar scope for more than a few seconds. He accomplished much in the field of air traffic. In the early days (1960s) he spent a summer in Resolute Bay setting up a control tower there for oil exploration. In Ottawa, he developed and delivered training courses for air traffic controllers and pushed for training as a high priority to keep the controllers up-to-date in their field. He commissioned the JETS committee (the joint enroute terminal system) which was a new radar system that printed speed and altitude. He helped develop the National Air Space Plan for Western Canada. He was the project manager for the setup of St. Andrews Airport. He was very proud of the opening of the new central control station here in Winnipeg on Moorgate St. signing the papers for its opening. He had a grand time when he took the position of Chief of Reginas Control Unit. Im sure Regina was never the same. He finished his career in Winnipeg as Regional Manager of Air Traffic Services for the Western Region of Canada. He had 16 years of retirement and he never got over the fact that he was getting paid to sit at home. Boy, did he love those retirement cheques! He made sure to tell us of every time that pension cheque increased with the cost of living. He just loved rubbing it in!!! He loved the crib tournaments, HIS bar stool, and the vlts in his favourite hang-out - the Silver Heights Restaurant. Many thanks to the crew at the Heights for your many visits to him and to Maureen for personally delivering a meal of barbecue spare-ribs and coleslaw for Dad while he was at Riverview. He says farewell to Jimmy, Maureen, Joanne, Greg, Ken, Ed and his wife and others. And to his special friend Linda, who listened to his baloney for too many years - thanks Linda for all your care and understanding. Dad leaves his children, Norman Jr. (Jeannette), Nancy (Mike), Lyle, and Norma (Bruce). It was only three years ago that Dad found his first child Debbie through absolute destiny and added two more grandchildren to his life. His beloved grandchildren whom he adored and lived for, Richard and Michael (Debbie), Michael and Melissa (Norm Jr.), Mandy and Aimee (Nancy), Natalie and Nicole (Lyle) and Ashlee and Alicia (Norma). Dad lived to see his great-grandson Max (Mandy) and hear him call Grandpa.That was the sweetest gift to Dad in the last days of his life. Dad was a good grandfather, although he always said he was too young to be one. His grandchildren loved him. He leaves his ex-wife Ruth who cared for him in the last months of his life with meals and her company. Dad appreciated her very much. Many thanks to Riverview staff for comforting and caring for Dad. Dad, youve left us with some great memories. Who will we ever find that will fall for our April fools jokes year after year. The best was when we had the Finance Dept. call to tell you they had overpaid your pension cheques for the last four years and you owed thousands of dollars. HA! Who will ever be as bugged as you when we called you a banana-licker (a term we used as kids for old people). He was a fanatic about his garbage. It had to be packed just right in the bag and could only be put out on garbage day and if it didnt all fit in the garbage can, well he would make you take the garbage to your home. We would torment him by dropping off our garbage bags on his garbage day and oh the laughter!! Yes, Dad, some very great memories. Dad, you were very brave. It was hard to say good-bye. Thanks be to God for your life, for being our Dad, for your friendship, for our talks - you were very precious to us and we loved you. Private family service to follow. Donations can be made in his memory to Western Canadian Aviation Museum, 958 Ferry Rd. "My gear is down."

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 14, 2000