PRESTON, NORMAN KENNEDY

July 17, 1922 – June 12, 2018

Norm played his last trump on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. He was born on a hot July day in Medicine Hat, Alberta, where he spent his youth until enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. He completed a tour of operations, partly with 415 Squadron, (Wellingtons) and 436 Squadron, (Dakotas), in Burma, where it was even hotter than Medicine Hat. After the War, Norm used his DVA credits to graduate from UBC with majors in Math and Physics. Teacher training was next and he began his teaching career in 1952 in Port Alberni. Moving to Victoria in 1959 he taught at Vic High until 1966 when he joined the Institute of Adult Studies, which soon became Camosun College, from which he retired in 1987.

Norm is survived by his children: Paul (Stephanie) of Victoria and Shirley Sarac of Crofton; two grandchildren David Barnes (Jennifer) of Cobble Hill and Andrew Barnes of Victoria and by his nephew Preston Archibald of Uxbridge, ON. In 1984 Norm married Marion Adams (1921 – 2010) and was immediately adopted by her extended family: Brian Adams (Pat), Cranbrook, B.C., his children David Adams (Deleen) of Cranbrook, Cathy Paton (Fred) of Salmo, B.C., Brian J. Adams (Bianka) of Victoria; and John Adams (Donna) and their children Chris (Susannah) of Victoria and Kate Adams (Chris Miller) of Vancouver. From this extended family Norm eventually inherited 12 more grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Norm was very active in teacher’s affairs and in the affairs of the Camosun College Faculty Association. He played badminton, tennis, curling and very much enjoyed fishing off Clover Point, chess and playing bridge, which he did until 2 weeks prior to his passing. He was active on the Council of his condominium association and for many years was the “go-to” person for small repairs that were needed in the building.

Special thanks are offered by Norm’s family for the caring and thoughtful treatment he received from Doctors and staff at Victoria General Hospital during the last 2 weeks of his life. He requested and was granted MAID and at the time of his passing he was comfortable, surrounded by family and had just recited his favorite poem “The Road to Mandalay” by Rudyard Kipling. There will be no services at Norm’s request and his cremated remains will be interred in Hillside Cemetery in Medicine Hat. Anyone wishing to make a donation in Norm’s name is asked to consider the Greater Victoria Retired Teachers Scholarship Foundation, or any other charity of their choice.