NORRIS BELTON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

NORRIS BELTON On Tuesday morning, October 31, the long and interesting life on earth of Norris Belton came to an end. Born November 30, 1914, Norris was the youngest of four children born to George and Edith Belton. His father was a school teacher and newspaper editor and Norris lived in a number of small prairie towns before his family settled in Winnipeg. Norris was always an excellent student and a contributor to his community from the beginning. He was a volunteer for the YMCA as a boy and active in the church. He enjoyed telling his two granddaughters, Kyla and Lana, of his secret midnight deliveries of milk to young mothers down his back lane during the Winnipeg Strike. The values formed in his early years stayed with him throughout his life. It was a life lived absolutely consistently with his beliefs yet without the rigidity that stifles many with strong beliefs. Norris saw the humour in himself and the world around him. His warm eyes twinkled and there was often the beginning of a smile on his face to let everyone know when he was about to share his unique viewpoint. On one of his many admittances to hospital over the last year and a half, the clerk at the hospital was confused about his first name. "Its "Morris" - with one hump," he told her with a deadpan expression. A doctor, trying to be positive, congratulated him on still having all his marbles. "Some days its a blessing and some days its a curse," Norris responded with his usual combination of wit and wisdom. Norris was a natural teacher, a vocation he practiced for almost 50 years. He truly loved teaching, even returning after retirement when the school division needed term positions filled. He was a master teacher, someone who could literally teach any subject at any grade level. From elementary arithmetic to senior high physics, Norris could step comfortably in front of any class when he was called upon and carry on seamlessly. It was while teaching in the small community of Elphinstone, Manitoba that Norris met and married Pearl Rogerson. Their marriage lasted 60 years. "I think I know how the generals in The Hundred Years War felt," he would joke. But behind the obvious differences in their personalities, a lifelong partnership was forged. They had two children, Darlene and Roger, after moving to Winnipeg. Norris pride in his children and his unflagging support of them was always evident. That pride was returned with love and admiration. A true historian and geographer, he always loved to travel. As soon as his children were old enough, the car was packed and off the family would go on one of Norris amazing summer road trips. In later years, he and Pearl travelled to many of the places they had read and dreamed of while growing up. But it was as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend where the wonderful mosaic that was Norris Belton really came together. He was someone who put more into life than he took out and he added a great deal during his almost 86 years on earth. At the end he was in the care of the wonderful third floor staff of The Lions Personal Care Centre on Sherbrook. "They have to do pretty well everything for me now," he said. "But its not just that they do it; its that they do it graciously. That makes all the difference!" And what a difference you have made! The world truly is a better place because of you, Norris. Its been a life well lived. Now, as the old Irish blessing concludes, "May God hold you in the palm of his hand." A funeral service will be held at Churchill Park United Church, 525 Beresford Avenue, just west of Osborne, on Friday, November 3 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Recreation Fund for The Lions Manor Personal Care Centre, 320 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 2W6.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 02, 2000