NORMAN DOWSE BINKLEY

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NORMAN DOWSE BINKLEY It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Norman Dowse Binkley in the early hours of June 23, 2005. He passed away at his home, with his family by his side, after a courageous and determined battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Joan; his devoted daughter Laura and her partner Grant. Also left to mourn his passing are his sister Helen Hammond, and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, to whom he meant the world. He was predeceased by his sister Betty and brothers Ward and Bob. Norman was born in Winnipeg on June 24, 1923 to Kathleen and George Binkley and grew up both in the city and at the family's farm in Springfield, MB. He began his career in aviation at the age of 19 when he enlisted in the RCAF, training in Regina and Dauphin where he received his wings and commission as a flying officer in 1943. After receiving his Air Navigator's Certificate, he served out the last months of the war flying with Coastal Command out of Summerside, PEI. After the war, he continued in aviation with TCA, but soon decided to return to full-time farming in Manitoba. In 1954, he restarted his career in the aviation field as a meteorologist with MET, switching to ATC soon after. He worked as an air traffic controller at the Winnipeg International Airport until his retirement in 1986. He continued to farm throughout - working a section and a half until the mid eighties when he retired from large scale farming, keeping a quarter section which he farmed until quite recently. Norman's great love of the land he worked gave him an unsurpassed respect for nature and all things wild and untouched. He saw himself as a caretaker of land that would pass on to future generations and as such he was a staunch practitioner and advocate of sustainability. This concern led to his involvement with the Cook's Creek Conservation District in the 1980s, and advocacy work with a number of environmental and land use organizations, activities and causes. Norman loved to work with his hands and there was no task too large for him to take on. Together with Joan, they lovingly designed and built their own home, landscaping acres of bald prairie with thousands of tree planted by hand. He taught himself to play the piano and guitar, and loved sitting down to the organ. A skilled mechanic, there was no machinery or motor that Norman could not fix. Norman's many and varied interests also reflected his love of the outdoors. He was an avid skier and swimmer, loved canoeing, snorkelling, scuba diving and hiking. He was an accomplished photographer, and together with Joan enjoyed numerous photographic expeditions to the American Southwest. They also enjoyed their annual winter stay in Laguna Beach. He had a profound respect for education and ideas which he carried with him always. He found interest in almost everything and enjoyed the art of conversation above all else. He was a giving, gentle man, rich in stories and full of humour. He developed strong and abiding friendships with people of all ages and backgrounds. But mostly Norman was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend. We are all better for having had him in our lives. The family would like to thank the wonderful homecare staff at the Northeastman Health Authority for their outstanding kindness and compassion and for making Norman's final days so rich. They would also like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff at both the Grace and St. Boniface Hospital CancerCare Clinics for their care and kindness. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28 at Green Acres Funeral Home with reception to follow. A private family interment will take place following the reception. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery Hwy. #1 E. at Navin, (204) 222-3241

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 25, 2005