Dr. C. Norman Kerr

In loving memory of Dr. C. Norman Kerr, a most kind, generous and caring man who passed away peacefully, in his sleep, at home in Central Saanich, BC on December 14th, 2023, at the age of 85.

Norman was born on September 2, 1938 in Glasgow, U.K. and grew up in the scenic town of Callandar on the edge of the Scottish Highlands, along with his brothers Graeme and Stuart.

Following university degrees at Glasgow (B.Sc.), Cornell (M.Sc.) and Glasgow (Ph.D.), Norman and his first wife, Irene, and his son, David, emigrated in 1965 to Kingston, Ontario, and their daughter, Alison, was born in 1967.

Norman was a Professional Mechanical Engineer and Full Professor at Queen’s University, including seven years as Department Head, until his early retirement in 1997. He also served as the volunteer Chair of IAESTE Canada (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) for 27 years, from 1972-1999, for which he was awarded the prestigious Citizenship Award by the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario.

Whether striking out on his own or accompanied by family, Norman travelled the globe throughout his life and loved hiking, especially climbing hills, and played tennis into his late seventies. A born fixer and handyman, relatives would often have a list of projects for Norman to complete whenever he came for a visit.

In 1999, Norman and Irene left the cold winters of Eastern Canada and retired to Brentwood Bay, BC where the gardening season was much longer. In well-earned retirement, Norman volunteered at the B.C. Aviation Museum, was a member of the Churchill Society of BC, and enjoyed attending Probus Club meetings.

Widowed in 2008, Norman remarried to Margaret (Piete) in 2010 and they enjoyed one another enormously for the last 13 years in their home together on Tanner Ridge. Norman’s world had naturally contracted in the last few years but no matter how small it became, it was a world that was always richly populated with love, humour and compassion.

Norman is survived by his dear wife Margaret, children Alison, David (Mary Rita), and his beloved granddaughter Ailsa. He is also survived by his BC step-children Laura (Mike), Brian (Kerry), step-grandchildren Jessica, Nolan, Kendra and Jasmine and step-great-grandson Hugh.

Inspired by his elder brother Graeme, Norman chose a green burial and now rests peacefully and eternally in Royal Oak Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a charitable donation in memory of Norman may consider the Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com