Norman Thompson LOW
September 17, 1927 - October 6, 2015
Norm passed peacefully at Malaspina Garden Care Facility in Nanaimo on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at the age of 88. He leaves to mourn his passing his first wife, Elaine (Low) Strome of Parksville; sister, Margaret Anderson of Parksville; daughters, Shirley (Murray) Lamotte of Parksville, Debbie (Lee) Lynch of Edmonton, Michelle Livingston of Vancouver; sons, Kenneth of Vancouver, David (Carmen) of Edmonton, Darryl (Jennifer) and Brian (Paula) of Fort Nelson; grandchildren, Colin (Sarah), Jasmine (Joel), Allan, Jason (Rica), Margaret, Shane (Mandie) Kyle (Naomi), Ryan, Todd, Darylann, Rebekah, Lauryn, and Brian Jr.; great grandchildren, Tatyana, Nathaniel, Dylan, Jonah, and Jaxon; brother-in-law, Cliff Pollock; nephews, Michael, Mark & Scott Watson (fishing buddy), Lee (Carmen) Pollock, Dean Pollock; niece, Patty (Kerry) Doyle; as well as many great nieces and nephews; longtime friends, John Murton, fellow Ham operator, Bill Hodson, and many members of the local Ham Radio Club. Norm was predeceased by his parents, Ida (nee Thompson) and Harry Low; sister, Marianne Pollock; second wife, Margaret (nee Schill) Low; and brother-in-law, Jim Anderson.
Born in Red Deer, Alberta to Ida and Harry Low, Norm spent his early years as a prairie farm boy. Although his hopes of becoming a pilot through Air Cadet Training were over when the war ended, flying remained his passion.
He graduated from SAIT in Calgary in 1952 as an electronic technician. For approximately 12 years he was employed by CNT as a repeaterman/manager along the Alaska Highway communication system in Canyon Creek, Yukon and Coal River, Wonowon, and Fort Nelson BC.
Leaving CNT, Norm’s interest in the motion pictures lead him to the theatre business as a projectionist, owner, operator in Thorsby, Fort Nelson, Hudson Hope, Olds, and Innisfail. Finally settling in Parksville in the 80’s, he reopened and operated the Park Theatre until 1992.
Norm obtained his private pilot’s licence in the 60’s, flying extensively in northern BC and beyond. As the flying years ended, he enjoyed many years on his fishing boat out of Schooner Cove with family and friends.
During all these years of adventure and careers, Norm was active for 65 years in Ham Radio, presently VE7ATA.
73’s Norm - God Bless.
Family and friends will all miss you.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Norm’s honour in the spring of 2016. Those wishing to honour his memory may do so by making a donation in his name to the Salvation Army, PO Box 1874, Parksville, BC V9P 2H6, Mt Arrowsmith RCL Branch #49, 146 West Hirst Avenue, Parksville, BC V9P 2G8, or a charity of your choice.
To send a condolence to the family please visit www.yatesfuneral.ca
YATES FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATORIUM
(250-248-5859) in care of arrangements.