Obituary of Norman Jones
Jones, Norman (Norm) Richard
Born February 26, 1935 made his transition December 21, 2020. Turns out, he had enough of this Bullsh*t year, too. A retired Leamington Police officer and spending some time in the Navy, Norm was also a scuba diving instructor which brought him great joy. Norm resided in the Sun Parlor Home where he also passed, after suffering a massive stroke in 2007 that robbed him of his independence and freedom. Norm could only articulate a few words and his favorite and most common was Bullsh*t – often with his right fist waving in front of his face and his lips pursed. Norm leaves behind his wife Esther, his daughter Suzanne and his grandkids Branden, Myles and Kassidy Impens who were all there nearing the end, to reminisce with Grandpa and squeeze out a few last smiles from him – and one final arm wrestle. Norm was both mentally and physically strong and at his end, it became apparent the depth of his strength. While our hearts are broken – we are happy he is at peace. Like the image of a broken heart, one half is heavy with grief, while the other is light with peace. It’s the space in between where we can decide how to merge the two pieces together to become whole again. That’s what Norm taught us. That no matter what happens, we can decide to make the best of it. Or not. After a life of loss, where it would have been almost easier to give up, Norm found and merged more strength in that space in between. He lost multiple children through miscarriage, his first daughter, Cheryl Ann at three days old, and his son, Gary at 18. He was then widowed ten years later in his fifties when his wife Rosemarie Jones passed. Norm’s parents, Sidney and Blanche, his brother Joe and Ronnie all left this earth along with their wives leaving him the only remaining Jones in that immediate family aside from his nieces and nephews. Norm loved fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and camping and it wasn’t immediately apparent just what a kid he was at heart until he went with his daughter and Grandkids to DisneyWorld. The grandkids feeling bad for dragging him around all day, asked him if he was ready to go home. Norm, in his authoritative tone, looked at them, furrowed brow, said “NO! Not until after the *GD fireworks!” 6 months before Norms stroke, he and his wife Esther visited his daughter and grandkids with his final bucket list. Among other things, he finally got to the Calgary Stampede. And while Norm didn’t like being the center of attention, he got his fifteen minutes of fame when he went on a Hypnotists stage in Montana and got kicked off because his hearing aids were causing too much interference. While Norm was a good, kind, and caring man, he wasn’t always easy. In fact, he could be tough. But again, we have a choice. In that toughness we can find the space in between and merge the lessons. Or not. Everyone has experiences that shape them and they do what they do from that mold. Norm’s toughness was his learned grit so he could carry on with a life that seemed to kick him in the ass again and again. The mistake we make is making someone’s grit about us. It’s not. Norm made the best of every situation and had fun with it. Through his grit, he taught those close to him, to make the best of any situation. Or not. Because you only get one life. And you can live in that space in between – but you’ve got to decide. Norm also taught us to never leave anything unsaid. Because of his incoherent speech. he struggled at the end to tell his daughter something that she is unsure if she comprehended accurately. This left him frustrated as his weakened body tried so very hard to show her what it was he was trying to say. Say what needs to be said while you still can. “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’ll get” Forrest Gump. Norm had 85 years of chocolates, and he tossed out what he didn’t like and ate what he liked. He taught those around him to do the same. We want to thank the nurses and staff at the Sun Parlor Home for making Norm feel at home and like he mattered. A special thank you to a former administrator Mike Parker for going the extra mile again and again to help us in the beginning and to Lynda Monik for her constant assistance during her time there. Dad, I will continue to seek your guidance from the other side. And I will do everything I can to piss you off just to keep you on your toes. Because that’s what I promised you I would do. We can’t imagine a more beautiful time to celebrate your life. Merry Christmas to you Dad. You can come join us at the dinner table any time and I will make your favorite Mincemeat pie. Norm will be laid to rest at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in Leamington on Thursday, December 24, 2020 at 11:30 am. Because of the COVID restrictions, this burial will be virtual. In lieu of flowers or donations, we would like to request that in Norm’s memory and this bullsh*t year, if you could take $20, representing 2020, and offer it to someone in need, in whatever form suitable. As Norms life has shown us, we never know what someone struggles with, under their strong exterior. And you may never know what your gift means to the receiver. But that is the magic in life. Being kind, just because.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Norman
Jones 1935 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Leamington, Province: Ontario