Robert James Norton
July 1st, 2021
Bob was known for his sense of humor, quick wit and one liners along with his ability to make people laugh. He was born & raised in Calgary. After graduating from Crescent Heights high school, he went south to Utah to attend Brigham Young University on a baseball scholarship. Upon his home coming, Bob’s career path took him into the field of Oil & Gas. From his college days and in this business, he made close, lifelong friends that he continued to have strong connections with to this day.
He married the love of his life, Linda, in Portage la Prairie, MB, and in marrying her, converted to Catholicism. He used to say ”I was raised an Anglican, attended a Mormon university and married a Catholic, I now have all my bases covered !”
He loved the game of golf, playing with Linda and with his in laws Charlie & Ruth joining them on many golfing trips. When it became difficult to book a tee time on courses around Calgary, he and Linda joined Cottonwood Golf & Country Club before it opened in 1990. He served on the Men’s executive for several years and golf, friends and socializing was a big part of his life until he was no longer able to golf; but the friendships made remained close.
He was a loyal Calgary Stampeders fan, attending all their home games; and a loyal Toronto Blue Jays fan watching all their televised games. He loved sports! In fact, there wasn’t a sport he wasn’t interested in (daily reading the sports pages)- except perhaps for soccer which he grew to learn to enjoy as his adored granddaughters, Alaira & Teagan, and daughter, Kristi, loved and played this sport ! He became a faithful cheering spectator.
His “most favourite grandson “Gage and he loved to play golf & baseball on the xbox and competed with each other as to who could make the longest word in scrabble .
His son-in-law, Lorne & he would vie for the barbecue in early years; and in later years he enjoyed the barbecue & smoker food that Lorne prepared and served.
Daily facetime chats with brother Brian; sometimes joined by Brian’s wife, JoAnne ( living in California) along with Linda, were a highlight of his day.
He developed a passion for chuckwagon racing, which led him to become a volunteer for the World Professional Chuck Wagon Association, serving on the board of directors for many years and later as VP of the association. Each summer, Bob travelled Alberta, following & working hard at every stop of the tour. The Chuck Wagon group cruise along the Mexican Rivera was one of those highlights even managing to go parasailing in Puerta Vallarta days after getting out of a foot cast prior the cruise! He so enjoyed the friendships made with the drivers, board members and other racing volunteers, some continuing long after he resigned as a volunteer, meeting up for lunches and reminiscing about “those days”.
In these past few years, as a passionate Albertan, Bob became involved in AB politics and would be engaged in many debates/discussions making lifelong friends along the way.
Bob will be greatly missed too by his wife, Linda; goddaughter, Lisa Reitzel (Mike), children, Taylor & Evangeline; nieces, Kate Al-Azzawi (Karim), children, Zachery (Jess) their children, Tatum & Beau and Paige; Heather Flowers (Matt), children, Abigail & Ethan; Jennifer Johnson (Bob), children, Bobby & Julia; nephew, John Ellis (Daniela), children, Vincent & Joseph; along with many other close friends, neighbours and family all of whom were such a support to Bob and Linda in the last several years. He has gone to join dearly loved family previously deceased including his Mom, Pat, and Dad, Bud; Uncles George, Jim and James.
The family would like to send a special thank you to Dr Tsai Willis and the pulmonary team at RGH; dermatologist Dr M Kalisiak; Tom Baker’s surgical oncologist Dr G McKinnon; medical oncologist Dr Tina Cheng & radiology oncologists Dr. S. Faruqi & Dr. J Stosky; Dr. Matt Hall and Dr. Frank Cunningham, Janny, JoAnne and Tanis and all the staff at the Bonaventure Medical Clinic; and his home care aids Amy & Joyce.
Bob and Linda could not have managed without the guidance and care of the Palliative Care Team, Dr Foster, Terri Kerr and allied staff. The family is also especially thankful for the outstanding care he received from Dr T Murynka and staff at Southwood Hospice.
If you wish, in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation or Alberta Lung Association.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 1:00pm at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Messages:
Sorry for your loss.we will be praying for you and your family
LInda, I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and praying for you and your family.
Linda, I am so truly sorry for your loss. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Dear Linda, I send heart felt condolances to you and Bob’s family. Hugs to all at this difficult time. Mary
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing, great memories on wagon trail
Linda and Family. Faye and I would like to pass on our heartfelt condolences to you all. We have so many fond memories of Bob and are thankful to this day for the special connection he had to both of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Dear Linda, I ‘m so sorry to hear that Bob has passed away. I always enjoyed my Home Care visits with him when I worked as an RN with AHS. Sending you thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Linda Choiselat
So sorry for your loss Linda and family. Bob was such a fun loving guy. With all the things he was going through he would always make us laugh. I think that him and Len will be discussing sports in Heaven.
Linda and Family We cherish each and every moment, visit, laughter, and chat we had with Bob, and Linda too. He was always one too make a person laugh and feel great. We send our condolences to you Linda and family. We unfortunately are unable to attend the service. Hugs to you. Rick and Sue Fraser
LInda, I am so sorry for your loss. Please reach out any time to talk or cry or share stories. Thinking of you and praying for you and your family daily. CJ
Dear Linda, Sorry to hear of Bob's passing. It is very hard to have a love one leave us. May God grant you the strength to continue in the days ahead. Always remember the good times . May Bob rest peacefully in God's care Audrey and Don
P.S……..Reach low Lord…….he’s ridin’ a Shetland!
To ´Linda, my dear friend and old tennis buddy from Portage days.. so long ago. So good to talk to you on Sun. Yes, Bob kept us all laughing, even as he would drive me to the airport so many times! How can one have soo many lifelong friends?! Shows how enjoyable he was to us all. Much love and hugs, Brenda
Dear Linda and family, Bob has fought a very courageous fight and, Linda, you were at his side demonstrating the same determined courage. We are so sad of the outcome, and we truly feel for you and the family. We remember Bob as a jovial and friendly person. During the last few years of his illness, we admired him for his positive attitude. We did not know Bob well, but we will cherish the few times we met through family gatherings. We also feel gratitude to have been able to share in the celebration of his last birthday on your door steps with family, friends and neighbours. Linda, we can only imagine the depth of your grief. May you find solace in the knowledge that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this painful time. Jack and Jocelyne
Linda, I am so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. Lee & I enjoyed the we had golfing with you both at CTW. What an impressive life he had. Thinking about you. Take care and be well.
Linda and Family, my sincere condolences. I met Bob in the Alberta political circles. A quality man with a voice of reason and value. He will be missed.
Dear Linda and family, so sorry that you’ve lost such a proud patriarch of your family. The world has lost a shiny penny with Bobs passing. He always brought sunshine and laughter to the lives he touched. He will be sadly missed. Take care of yourselves and each other as you work through the healing process. Hugs and prayers for all of you.
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss Linda, you and your family are in my thoughts.
Keeping you in my prayers, Linda and know how much Bob will be missed by family and friends - he was very special in so many ways.
So Sorry to hear about Bob You will miss him Such great memories We have left for our boating trip so will miss the service Take care We will catch up when back Hugs Barbara
Condolences to Linda and Family...I met Bob with the Alberta Patriots movement he will be missed he was one of a kind...Going to miss you my friend rest easy...
We didn’t know Bob very long but he will always be remembered as a very special man! Hugs to all his family and friends. He will be missed by many!
Linda; We are so sorry for your loss. Sending our thoughts & prayers.
Bob was a character! We had many lively discussions on a variety of subjects. I will for sure miss his wit and witticisms about life. He taught me alot about enjoying life, every last minute of it. Keeping your family in my thoughts as the days ahead hopefully start to get easier for you and you keep remembering all the good times as he would have wanted it.
Dear Linda and family, My deepest sympathy, Bob was so special to each and every one of us. I am so grateful and blessed for his friendship, guidance and love. The laughter and joy he brought into our lives will always be cherished and never forgotten. Until we meet again dear friend…..Rest In Peace. Janell.
Dear Linda and family My condolences to you all. Bob will be dearly missed. My thoughts and Prayers to you and your family. Ane Peatman.