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MARK ROBERTSON NORRIE
Date of Passing: May 12, 2001
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMARK ROBERTSON NORRIE Suddenly and tragically on May 12, 2001 on the island of Bali, Indonesia, at the age of 36 years. Mark is survived by his parents, Helen and Bill Norrie of Winnipeg; his brother, Dr. Fraser Norrie and special friend David Clarke of Vancouver; his sister-in-law Sheila Norrie and children, Allison, Jennifer and Cameron of Winnipeg. He was predeceased by his brother, Duncan, in 1992 in a plane accident near Kathmandu, Nepal, and also by his maternal grandfather, Jack M. Scurfield and his paternal grandparents, Mary and William Norrie. Also left to mourn are his maternal grandmother Isobel Scurfield; his aunts, Margaret Norrie, Beverley Watts (Mac), and Janet Gould (Larry), all of Winnipeg. He is survived by cousins, Maggie Watts-Hammond (Iain) of Vancouver, Martin (Lila) Watts, Gordon (Adrienne) Watts, Peter (Julie) Watts, and Rachel, Joshua, Sarah, Matthew and Simon Gould and special second cousin, Margaret Howarth. Mark was born in Winnipeg in 1964 and attended Grosvenor, River Heights, and Kelvin Schools and Collegiate at the University of Winnipeg. He studied science at University of Winnipeg and Creative Writing at the University of Victoria. In 1995 he was awarded an Exploration Grant by the Canada Council for the Arts and travelled to Bali to continue his research and writing. In Bali he worked as Curator of the internationally acclaimed Taman Burung (Bali Bird Park). In 1998 he founded Eco-Zoo Consultants and worked on zoo and conservation projects in Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Nepal and South Africa. During his travels Mark took the opportunity to view many wildlife species in their natural surroundings, and to participate in a wide variety of conservation projects. His latest appointment was as Director of the Bali Elephant Safari Park. Mark had a special love for and rapport with animals and birds throughout his life and raised many unusual pets on the family island, Elephant Isle, in Lake of the Woods. He also worked for several summers at the Kenora Veterinary Clinic. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 28 at 2:00 p.m. in Crescent Fort Rouge United Church, Winnipeg, at Nassau and Wardlaw, with the Rev. Pat Wotton and Dr. Gordon Harland presiding. Cremation took place in Bali, with burial at a later date in Elmwood Cemetery. Should friends wish to do so, donations may be made to the Assiniboine Park Friends of the Zoo, in care of the Winnipeg Foundation, 301-161 Portage Ave. E., Winnipeg, MB R3B 2L6, marked "In Memory of Mark Norrie."
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 25, 2001
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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I learned about Mark’s tragic passing many years ago, but continue to this day to feel grief. I met Mark in Victoria in the mid 1980s when we were both young men just starting out in life, although I was a few years older. He revealed to me that he’d stuttered as a youngster, and since as a therapist this was my specialty, we became fast friends. I recall that his apartment was filled with exotic birds that would shriek at regular intervals, and I was fascinated by his love of the natural world and the fact that he’d begun writing about this love at an early age. He described with great enthusiasm the memories of his childhood encounters with nature at Lake of the Woods. We would get together on weekends and always dined out, sharing lovely meals and relieving the stresses of the previous week. He’d mentioned that he had fond memories of his childhood therapist, who was more like a friend and with whom he would also share meals; and so our times together seemed like a tribute to that person earlier in his life who’d helped him manage and overcome his speech difficulties. I miss Mark greatly and think of him often. - Posted by: Martin (Friend) on: Sep 18, 2021
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I met Mark in 1982 when he was a foreign exchange student in St Andrews College, Christchurch, New Zealand. I remembered him all these years as he said his father was the Mayor of Winnipeg. We also had a foreign student whose father was the Governor General of Tuvalu. It was a pretty special class. He was my classmate in Form 7. I was a foreign student from Singapore. He struck me as a very gentle, well-mannered boy with lots of empathy. I don't know him very well, but we were always cordial and civilized with each other. I am saddened to learn this news only in 2020. RIP Mark. - Posted by: Rick (Ex-Classmate) on: Nov 20, 2020
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I'm Hoping someone could help me. I googled Fraser, there's a lot in Vancouver. I have 3 items I want to mail to Fraser when his father was alive. Fraser is the only person who deserves them; they're keepsakes when his dad was Mayor. Please email with correct number, then I could phone him & find out his address or give him my email address. I tried to locate The late Bill Norrie's number, not listed Please please help, I'd sincerely appreciate it. - Posted by: Esther Haber (Old Friend of Fraser) on: Dec 18, 2014
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I never met Mark, but he sounds astounding, when Fraser lived in Winnipeg he would speak often about Mark. Fraser at that time was not a Doctor, he had fascinating stories to say as he was taking a course and working (I may have it wrong) at one of the hospitals here we lost each other. My condolences for both Mark, and an exceptional man Mayor Bill Norrie - Posted by: Esther (Old friend of Fraser Norrie) on: Dec 24, 2013
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Today I read "He Saw Himself In All His Creatures". I borrowed it from my local Victoria library. It was a very touching read and I feel I can relate to Mark through his mother's remembrance. I would have loved to have met such an amazingly talented man. I found Mark's story very inspiring. Thank you for sharing Mrs. Norrie. - Posted by: Rylee () on: Feb 01, 2013