Norman 'Jake' Noel
Born: September 17th, 1920
Passed in: North Sydney
Passed on: April 20th, 2015
Norman Almon Noel (Jake) passed away on April 20, 2015 in Harbourview Hospital's Veterans' Wing.
He was born in North Sydney on September 17, 1920, and spent several happy childhood years in Baddeck before moving back to North Sydney.
Jake is survived by Ruth, his wife and soulmate of 65 years; daughters Cathy and Normi; grandchildren Brett, Gavin (Kristijana) and Carly (Michael). Also his dear small friends, Kippur and Kate Wicked.
Jake was a bomber pilot in WWII, training initially on fighter planes but due to heavy losses in Bomber Command was transferred to 428 Squadron (Ghost Patrol), a bomber squadron based in Middleton St. George in the north of England. Flight Officer Lt.'Wimp' Noel flew 33 combat missions over Nazi Germany in his beloved Lancasters. Toward the end of his tour, he brought his crew home safely under a May Day landing; the aircraft was so badly shot up it never flew again. After Jake's tour ended he joined Transport Command (RAF), on Liberators, flying troops home from North Africa, the Middle East and India.
Returning to North Sydney after the war, he had the good fortune to find his other half, Ruth MacDonald, his great love, his true north. For many years he owned and operated Bill's Hardware in Sydney Mines. Due to the closing of the mines, Jake, Ruth and family moved to Fort McMurray in 1967. There he worked for GCOS and Suncor, in both the Lab and Environmental Department, and Ruth taught school. In 1981 they retired to their home in Cape Breton. Jake loved golf and tennis and was a passionate gardener. A voracious reader, Jake loved rich discussion and lively exchange. His philosophy was shaped by a profound love and respect for animals and nature.
Jake was pre-deceased by his parents, Blanche (Parsons) Noel and Heber Noel, and his twin sister Margaret (Noel) Allin.
In his last years Jake was blessed in the companionship of dear and faithful friends, who cared for him so wisely and so well. Brenda, Sheila, Nina, Rosemary, and Mabel and many other wonderful caregivers cherished him and enabled him to stay in his home with Ruth until late February of this year, for which we are eternally thankful.
We, his family, are grateful to so many people. Dr. Amanda Woodhouse; Dr. John Ritter and Cathy McMillan of Palliative Care; the compassionate staff of Harbourview Hospital; the exemplary VON; the wonderful team at Shopper's Drug Mart in North Sydney; County Homemakers (particularly his friend Marlin); the generosity of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and dear friend and Physiotherapist Ramnish Tewari.
There will be no service, at his request.
High Flight
Oh I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward , I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
Per Ardua ad Astra
