Dawn's Daisy Dreams
Home | All About Dawn | 2005 Adventures | My Friends - Petlovers | Even More Pictures ..... | Birthdays!!!!! | VA and CO 2002 | Colorado 2002 | My Sister.. My Friend.. Sylvia | In Memory of My Hero... | September 11, 2001 | Where I Live | Dawn's Favourites | Guest Book
In Memory of My Hero...

waynesmiling.jpg

missingman1.jpg

 
 
On December 22, 2002, the world became a sadder place. 

MAJOR WAYNE WILLIAM NORRIS Born January 5, 1950 in Morris, MB, lost his long and courageous battle with cancer, December 22, 2002. Wayne passed away peacefully at home in the arms of his family. He leaves to cherish his memory the love of his life, his devoted wife Trish; son Darren (Julia); daughters, Angela (Chris), Pamela (Curtis) and precious grandson Caleb. In addition, brothers, Charles (Sandra), Tom (Caren), Bob (Rita), Nelson (Connie), Barry (Pauline) and Allan; sister-in-law Judy (Bob); brothers-in-law, Dennis and Hank; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends (including the members of 443 (MH) Squadron). Each and everyone very special to Wayne, including his cousin and guardian angel Merle (Bob). Wayne received great fulfillment from his military career which started in Kingston, where at the age of 16, he enrolled as a soldier apprentice in the Canadian Army Apprentice Training Programme. Postings to CFB Calgary, Royal Canadian Navy Preparatory School (Esquimalt), Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School (Chilliwack), 22nd NORAD region HQ (North Bay), CFS Moisie, 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (Portage la Prairie), 2 CFFTS (Course 7601) and Base Rescue Flight (Moose Jaw), Central Flying School (Winnipeg), E-3 AWACS (Tinker AFB Oklahoma), CFOCS, 3CFFTS, CFOCS as Deputy Comandant, Aircom HQ (Winnipeg), MARPAC EQ (Esquimalt) and finally, a dream realized, a posting to 443 (MU) Squadron (Pat Bay) with attached posting to both HMCS Ottawa and HMCS Vancouver rounded out the 36 plus years he proudly served. Wayne, a loving husband, father and grandfather, spent his leisure time fishing, gardening and Volksporting, but nothing brought more joy that the time he spent with his grandson. His genuine interest in people and kind hearted manner endeared his to all. A special thanks to 443 (MH) Squadron, Dr. K. McKeen/Base Hospital Staff, the British Columbia Cancer Agency (Victoria), Victoria Hospice and Palliative Care. A very special thanks to family and friends who supported Wayne during these last months. As per his request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the British Columbia Foundation for Research, Suite 200-601 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5C 4C2. A funeral service will be held Friday, January 3 at Henderson's Funeral Homes Ltd., 45901 Victoria Ave., Chilliwack, BC. A memorial service will be held Friday, January 10 at Belmont Park Protestant Chapel, Belmont Park, Victoria, BC, for further information, 604-363-4030. A reception to follow, Wardroom - CFB Esquimalt. Another memorial service will be held at Morris United Church, Morris (February 8, 2003).

There You'll Be

When I think back on these times and the dreams we left behind,

Ill be glad cause I was blessed to get to have you in my life.

When I look back on these days, Ill look and see your face.

You were right there for me.

In my dreams, Ill always see you soar above the sky.

In my heart, there will always be a place for you.

For all my life, Ill keep a part of you with me.

And everywhere I am, there youll be.

Well you showed me how to feel, feel the sky was in my reach.

And I always will remember all the strength you gave to me.

Your love made me make it through.

Oh, I owe so much to you.

You were right there for me.

In my dreams, Ill always see you soar above the sky.

In my heart, there will always be a place for you.

For all my life, Ill keep a part of you with me.

And everywhere I am, there youll be.

Cause I always saw in you my light, my strength.

And I want to thank you now, for all the ways you were right there for me,

For alwaysin my dreams, Ill always see you soar above the skin.

In my heart, Ill always have a place for you.

For all my life, Ill keep a part of you with me.

And everywhere I am, there youll be there youll be.

Wayne was always someone in our lives.  He was our family hero... a reason for an inpromtu family reunion when he came for a visit.  In my immediate family, we always knew what was happening with Wayne and Trish and family... mom was so proud of her nephew.  I have a few memories of him being around when I was a baby... whether they are real memories or suggested ones... I know that he was there and part of our family.  Trish introduced me to his collegues at his memorial service by saying, "Wayne never had a little sister, having all those brothers, but if he ever thought of someone as a sister, it was Dawn-Ellen..."  When we went to visit them in Victoria a few years ago, I couldn't help but fall in love with the city as I saw it through his eyes.  He was so proud of Victoria.. in love with the island.  He told us about all the fun they were having exploring and learning about their new home.  Mom and I had a very thorough tour of the new shed he built in his backyard.  He loved his home and his garden.  And he loved his family... keeping in touch with everyone, no matter where he was in the world.
 
With sad hearts and some smiles, we celebrated his life at Morris United Church on February 8, 2003.  The third of three services... ending with a fly-by of three helicopters in the missing man formation...
 
I have so much more I could say... but I just can't find the words.  When someone so young and full of life and love leaves us, you wonder why and you also realize how much you take for granted in this world.  I will will miss him very much.... as will everyone who has ever met him.  God bless him...