Norman Hugh Fergusson Ph.D
June 10, 1925 – March 20, 2019
Norman Hugh Fergusson Ph.D
With heavy hearts the family announces the passing of Dr. Norman Hugh Fergusson, 93, of Dartmouth surrounded by family. Norman was born in Port Morien, June 10, 1925, the son of the late Norman and Eva (Spencer) Fergusson.
Norman was a lifelong scholar and athlete known for his integrity, determination, persistence and fair play.
He received his B.Sc. (‘46) and B.Ed. (‘49) from Dalhousie University. During his working years he received his MA (‘65) from St. Mary’s University, his M.Ed. (’68) from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and his Ph.D. (’82) from the University of Florida, being elected to the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
Norman was a teacher and Vice Principal before a long career with the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, serving as Executive Secretary from 1970 to 1984. During his tenure great strides were made in teacher welfare with the negotiation of the first collective agreement covering all teachers in NS. Great emphasis was placed on raising professional standards and on professional development and building close relationships with the other stakeholders in education. Norman was a founding board member of the Atlantic Institute of Education in 1970, chairing the Board of Directors from 1973 to 1976.
He wrote numerous studies and books including “Stress and the Nova Scotia Teacher” (1984). After his retirement wrote “The Story of The Nova Scotia Teachers Union – From the Formation of the Old Union in 1895 to the 1980s”.
Following retirement, he remained involved in education, teaching summer courses at St. Mary’s and St. Francis Xavier.
Norman was also an accomplished athlete. He pitched in the Cape Breton Colliery Baseball League, playing for the Glace Bay Miners when they won the Maritime Senior Title in ‘50. He also pitched for the Windsor Leafs, and was the ace pitcher for the Bear River Blue Socks when they won the Maritime Intermediate title in ‘52. As a hockey player, he was the player-coach for the Bridgetown Hawks when they won the Nova Scotia Intermediate Champions in ‘53.
Norman took up tennis in his early 30’s, which became a lifelong passion. He won many provincial and maritime titles before beginning to compete nationally after his retirement. He was the first Nova Scotian to win a national singles championship (’96) and went on to win two more titles (’97 and ’05). He was a finalist twice (’98 and ’01) and also won a national doubles title (’98). He was a member of the World Team Championship team for Canada seven times.
He was a member of the St. Georges Tennis Club for over 60 years. As president of the club in ‘63 and ’64 he led the financial campaign to build a new clubhouse. He served as president again in 1985 during the clubs 100th anniversary celebrations. Norman and Isabel are honorary life members of the club. Reflecting his resiliency and determination, Norman played his last tennis match at St. Georges in 2016 at the age of 91.
In recognition of his accomplishments he is a member of the Cape Breton Sports Hall of Fame, the Digby Sports Hall of Fame (for Baseball), the Bridgetown Hockey Heritage Wall, and the Nova Scotia Tennis Hall of Fame.
He was active in Grace United Church, serving as Chairman of the Board among other roles. He had a keen interest in genealogy and spent many hours researching the family history as well as helping many others conduct their family searches. He was very interested in Scottish culture and served as Regional Vice President of the Clan Fergusson Society of North America for many years.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Isabel (Bishop); children, Lynn Fergusson, Heather (Greg) Avrakotos, and Hugh (Shelley) Fergusson; grandchildren, Dr. Christopher Saulnier, Boston, Keltie (Evan) Price, Truro, Alexandra and Katherine Avrakotos, Florida, Nicole, Lauren and Andrew Fergusson, Grand Lake; and nieces and nieces and nephews, Jane (Greg) Storey, Marjorie (Christopher) Anans, Catherine Fergusson (Michael), Earl (Kenene) Fergusson, William (Sally) Fergusson.
He was predeceased by brothers, Layton (Grace), Glace Bay, Dr. Bruce (Evelyn), Halifax, Prof. Donald (Dorothy), Halifax, Hughes, Port Morien; sisters, Dorothy, Port Morien, and Hildred, Halifax. He was also predeceased by his son Dr. Bruce, son Robert, in infancy; and granddaughter Christina Avrakotos.
Visitation will take place from 2:00-4:00 Saturday, March 23, in the Dartmouth Funeral Home, 29 Queen Street, Dartmouth. The funeral service will be held at 2p.m., Sunday, March 24 in Grace United Church, 70 King Street, Dartmouth. Private burial will take place at a later date. Family flowers only. Donations may be made to the Memorial Fund of Grace United Church, KidSport Nova Scotia (902-425-5450) or the Dr. Bruce Fergusson Memorial Fund Dalhousie University 902 494-6170, or a charity of choice
SERVICES
Visitation
Saturday, March 23, 2019
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Dartmouth Funeral Home
29 Queen Street
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 1E9
Funeral Service
Sunday, March 24, 2019
2:00 PM
Grace United Church
70 King Street
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4R3
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Norman Hugh Fergusson PhD June 10 1925 March 20 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia