Obituary: Norman George Gurr – October 22, 2021

By
Sandy Lindsay
-

Norman George Gurr 
September 13, 1931 -October 22, 2021

Norman George Gurr passed away peacefully in Southampton  on October 22, 2021 at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife, Florence Miriam (née: Ferguson.  He was the son of the late George Herbert Gurr and Dora May Gurr, who are both interred in Southampton cemetery, and late brother John Herbert Gurr, with whom he shared the same birthday, September 13th (1935).  Brother of Maryann Cooper.

Norm spent many years in education working for the North York School board at several public schools and retired as a principal.  He served as a Councillor for the town of Southampton prior to amalgamation and engaged in many important initiatives, and was a Board Member of the Southampton Residents Association.

Norm had many attributes, one of which was to never give up.  He became involved in many causes and would often appear before Council to air his point of view, having researched his subject to the ‘n’th degree.
Norm attended Council to rail against the CAW Turbine
He also often submitted Letters to the Editor and one in particular was his The Dickens Story – a Christmas Story in Reverse.  
As our good friend and reader, Dick Wright said at the time (2010), “Good old Norm Gurr never gives up. In his “unedited” Letter to the Editor (what editor would even want to attempt an edit of that one?), he proves to be the “Dickens” that he is by singing the praises with tongue somewhat in cheek of his cherished Southampton and some of the people who have helped make it the wonderful community that it is.”
We often agreed, where many didn’t.  It is people who have a passion for their community that make a difference.  There are many critics, but few are willing to put their name forward behind their beliefs … Norm Gurr was one who always did.

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