Obituary for
Norman Harold Kereluik
On January 10, 2022 Norman Harold Kereluik of Willingdon, Alberta, passed away after a long courageous battle against his spinal pain.
Beloved husband of Mary K. Kereluik; dear father of Jocelan Tanner, Blair Kereliuk, and Blake Kereliuk; and loving grandfather to Tennessee Tanner. He is also survived by one sister, Liane Fowler (Ian); sister-in-law, Jeanne Kereliuk; brother-in-law, Dr. Charles Riley (Pam); sister-in-law, Joanne Riley; numerous nieces and nephews; and great nieces and great nephews.
Predeceased by his parents, Rose and Andy Kereluk; brother, Cecil Kereliuk; sister, Tennessee Johnson; and brother, Terry Kereluk (infancy).
Born in Smoky Lake, Alberta, Norman grew up in the Willingdon/Hairy Hill area, the family moved around from farm to farm before finally settling down in the current place of residence. Norman’s earliest employment as a young boy was a member of a threshing crew working on a number of farms in the community.
He attended school in Ispas, Willingdon and Bonnyville then obtained his Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta. He began his teaching career in 1956 at the Hairy Hill School and in 1973 he took a year off teaching to attend UBC in Vancouver, after which he returned to the Hairy Hill School. Norman’s final seven years in education were as principal of the Willingdon School.
Playing baseball and hockey with the Two Hills teams were activities he enjoyed. He loved life on the farm, the outdoors, fishing, and hunting: many of his former students remember singing ‘Land of the Silver Birch’ in music class.
His spirit of adventure was demonstrated by canoe and boat trips up the Athabasca River with special friends Ray, Marshall, John, Albert and Eugene, and fishing trips to Wolf Lake with Art, Marshall, and Ray as well as many others. He enjoyed eastern family get-togethers in Ottawa, Montebello, Georgian Bay, Fonthill, and West Bloomfield, fun visits creating wonderful memories.
Norman and Mary enjoyed numerous summers and autumns in the Yukon, fishing the remote streams and lakes and just enjoying the magnificent scenery. And every November brought hunting season with memorable hunts with brother, Cecil and great nephews, Jason and Chad.
Cremation has taken place. At Norman’s request, no formal service will be held, instead, Norman left behind a final message for all of his family and friends:
“Gone back to the forest, the river, the mountain and the sea; see you later; love you all; remember me!”
If desired memorial donations may be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation, or a charity of one’s choice.
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Park Memorial
Vegreville 780-632-2000
Family Owned Funeral Home
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Norman Harold
Kereluik 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Vegreville, Province: Alberta