MacAuley, Norman Hector -On July 6, 2016 Norman Hector MacAuley passed away peacefully at the age of 98 years at Brookhaven Care Home in Kelowna, British Columbia. Norman was born on August 10, 1917 to Charlie and Alice (MacKenzie) MacAuley in LaRonge, Saskatchewan. He attended All Saints Indian Residential School and was able to forge an honourable life despite incredibly humble beginnings. Norman will be remembered as a resilient man, a principled & humble leader who believed strongly in serving community, the value of education, and having a strong work ethic. Norman was predeceased by his wife, Hetty; sons, Angus and Keith; siblings Stanley, McIvor, Gordon and Mary. He is survived by daughter-in-law Pat, granddaughter Erin, grandson Neil, great granddaughter Allison. Norman left school in his early years to work with his father and brothers. At the outbreak of WWII, Norman walked over 200 km from LaRonge to Prince Albert to enlist in the Canadian Armed Forces. He served with the 8th Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in the Royal Canadian Army 70th Battery. While in Europe, he met and married his wife, Hetty Smith of London, England. He was part of the allied invasion of France and landed in Normandy in June 1944. He also served in Belgium, Holland and Germany during the war. When the war ended he returned to Canada with Hetty and settled in Vancouver, British Columbia until they decided to make their home in northern Saskatchewan. Norman served as a Manager of Saskatchewan Government Trading Stores in Pinehouse and in Deschambault Lake. He was a Special Constable with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, plus Norman owned and operated a tourist fishing camp for many years. From 1975-1982 Norman was an elected representative of the New Democratic Party and served as a Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the riding of Cumberland. After his retirement from politics, Norman and Hetty chose to retire to the Okanagan, and they enjoyed many years together in Kelowna, BC.
A special thank-you to the staff of Pine Acres and Brookhaven Care Homes, Larry & Lise MacAuley, Pat Letkemann, Gus Van Houstee and the late Angus MacAuley for their support and care during Norman’s final years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be gratefully accepted to the Norman MacAuley Scholarship fund, care of Erin & Doug Reid (9 – 1316 Township Road 533Parkland County, Alberta T7Y0G2). The scholarship is being established for deserving grade twelve Metis students who will be pursuing post-secondary education after graduating from Churchill Community High School in LaRonge Saskatchewan. A Memorial Service will take place at the First Memorial Funeral Services at 1211 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia on July 23, 2016 at 11:00am with a reception to follow. A private interment will take place at the LaRonge Band Cemetery later this summer. Arrangements entrusted to First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com Arrangements entrusted to First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC ph: 250-762-2299.