Norman “Norm” Wennerstrom was a legendary man and friend to so many who loved his charisma, charm and character. He lived an astonishing and full 106 years and 11 months of near perfect health until he took his last breath on May 1st, 2023, at 8:15am in the comfort of his own apartment at Finlandia Village (Lepokoti), with his incredibly compassionate caretakers, just the way he wanted. His mind was sharper than any tack you could find, he was witty, humorous, and loving to his very last moments with all who crossed his path.
Born to Alma Augusta (Johanson) and Albin Edward Wennerstrom on June 4th, 1916, in Copper Cliff, Ontario he came into the world before the advent of taxes, survived 2 Pandemics, 2 World Wars, the Great Depression and so much more. He worked for family at the King Edward where he met and swept the woman of his dreams off her feet. He later enjoyed a lifelong career with the CPR where he would often fondly recall stories of working and riding on the tracks until his retirement at 60 years of age in 1976. He was quite literally the most interesting man you could meet and would easily recite the name and history of any person from his past and present, including an anecdotal story or two of them!
Norm is surely dancing through the heavens reunited with the love of his life Vivian (nee Darroch) whom he married April 16th, 1939, and who has been waiting for him since 2012. Their 73-year-long love story is admired by all the generations they created. A collection of pins showcases decades of bowling tournaments, curling bonspiels, and dancing clubs with Vivian always by his side and a career-long commitment to the UTC for the CPR. In his spare time, he painstakingly slaved away building his own camp on Frenchman’s Lake and tended to his 2 massive gardens both at home and at camp. He picked blueberries, fished, and hunted the Northern Ontario lands like no one else knowing each and every lake, river, stream & pond. He also had very fond memories of his time spent working and relaxing at Little Fairbanks. You could always find Norm busy tilling the garden, building something, fixing something, cutting down a tree, chopping wood, enjoying a sauna or kicking your butt at cards over a nip of scotch with the grandkids giggling above in their bunk beds.
Norm is survived by his 4 children he loved very much: Robert “Bob” (late Bernice) of Sault Ste Marie, Arthur “Art” (Egle) of Azilda, Norma of Sudbury, and Betty Lou (Bill) Butler of Hanmer.
Norm was predeceased by his siblings Ralph (Thelma), Ruby (Stan) Pierson and Artur (Ebba) Johansson. Memories of Norm are still adored by his living nieces and nephews David (Kate) Wennerstrom, Linda (Bruce) Newton, Stanley (Lisa) Pierson and Leslie (late Peter) Graham. Norm was a very proud Swede and would tell anyone the same. He finally had the opportunity to meet his Swedish family at the ripe age of 95 and travelled abroad for a visit in 2011. He leaves behind many heavy hearts in the families of his Swedish nephews and nieces Iréne & Sigvard, Jan & Kerstin, and Åke & Ulla.
Grandpa left a legacy of 11 Grandchildren, 25 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great-Great Grandchildren all left living to cherish his memory.
From Bob: Patty (Chris) Donofrio and children; Josh (Meghan Greco) and Samantha; son Jason Bryant. Mary (Claudio Gambetti) and children; Gianni (Ashley), Elisabetta (Bryan) and Marco. Sandra Wennerstrom.
From Norma: Vincent (Cherie) Bonhomme and children; Abigail, Miles and Spencer. Paul (Ashley) Bonhomme and children; Ivan and Lylah. Leah (Luc) Nadeau and children; Jade, Ava, Lydia and Koen.
From Art: Bruno (Giselle) and children; Jonathan (Essa Nolet) and children; Alice and Marceline. Kayla (Ryan Taylor). Kurtis (Fiona Symington). Cindy (Marcin Wroblewski) and step-children; Victoria and Zuzanna.
From Betty Lou: Kimberly Ann (Tommy) Hammond and children; Zackary and Cassandra. Crystal Elaine (Haydn Cosens) Butler and children Owen and Olivia. Samantha Adele (Brando) D’Ambrosio and children Marcus and Matteo.
We all look up to Grandpa with incredible admiration as our life-long role model and mentor. In his 80s and 90s, he fascinated everyone with his independent living even after becoming legally blind due to Macular Degeneration. And in his very late years, he further mesmerized us by enhancing his French speaking skills to better communicate with his special friend (Yolande), Swedish to better speak to relatives overseas and tossed in some Italian & Finnish for fun. His strength, determination and hard work were truly one of a kind. They just don’t make them like Grandpa anymore so we hope to make him proud by carrying on his legacy.
Visitation has been arranged this Saturday May 6th, 2023 at 12pm at the Jackson & Barnard Funeral Home 232 Larch Street Sudbury, ON. Funeral Service will be in the R. J. Barnard Chapel at 1pm with an all-welcome reception to follow and celebrate Norm’s amazing life.
For those who cannot attend, live streaming is available at: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY4MzA1OTQxMzI0OTE4MCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== For donations or messages of condolence, www.lougheedfuneralhomes.com