George Norman Bennett
April 13, 1919 – November 12, 2014
After a long and full life, it is with much sadness but many happy memories, that the Bennett family advises that Norm passed peacefully away on November 12, 2014.
Norm was predeceased by his wife and best friend of 62 years, Dorothy (Wagner) in 2009. He will be sadly missed by his four children: Joan (Wayne), Barbara (Dave) Parsons, Gordon (Lisa) and Nancy (Warren); his five grandchildren: Ainslie (Dylan)Parsons, Carrie (Travis) Burke, Cameron(Ellie) Heenan, Nancy and Cathy; and by his three great grandchildren: Theo, Willa and Alistair.
Norm was born in County Durham, England April 13, 1919, and arrived in Canada by ship with his family in 1925. He was raised on a farm in Minnedosa, Manitoba. In 1941 he joined the RAF/RCAF, serving in radar stations in India, until the end of WWII. Norm graduated from the University of Manitoba (Electrical Engineering) in 1950, and later from McMaster University (MBA). He began his career in the railway industry with General Motors in Winnipeg and London, working to replace steam engines with diesel locomotives. He worked for CN in Toronto and retired in 1981 from BC Railway, Vancouver as Chief Mechanical Officer. Norm then joined CIDA and the World Bank to help other countries build railroads. He spent 2 years in Bandung, Indonesia and from there he and Dorothy followed their passion for travel, exploring most parts of the world.
Norm was a gentle, kind and loving man. His first priority was his family and he was fully supportive of their journeys through life. He and Dorothy also loved entertaining and playing bridge. He provided wonderful care for Dorothy in her final years, enabling her to stay in their home at Bishop’s Green, in South Surrey and to continue to enjoy a rich & rewarding life.
His family will celebrate his life at a later date.
Donations gratefully accepted in memory of Norm at the charity of your choice. He will be sadly missed.