I was to work with Dr Norrie for my Phd in AI integrated Manuf during 1992. I had completed my MS from the University of Regina in 1992 where I got introduced to his work through the dean of the grad school.. In this regard I had spoken to Dr Norrie a couple of times over telephone and also was in touch with him via postal mail. But I did not however join the program, but subsequently did hear about the outstanding work done by him. I do wish to convey my deepest condolences to his family and I am sure his loss is very shocking to many people around the world.

I am very sorry for your loss. 

For me i am lucky that i become part for whatever time we get together with him good memories that will remain in my thoughts and in my heart.


I have wonderful time talking to him about everything everytime we visit there especially in the morning in breakfast time with his news paper and then he will talk to me after. I know i will miss him. I can see how wonderful person he is as a husband a father, teacher and adviser. He is realy a good role model and verry impressive person i know. I love him to.



My own mother and brother passed away a few years back, and if i can offer you a bit of advice from my own experience, it is that the sadness that you’ve feeling right now doesn’t last forever. It may not seem like it at the moment, but take it from me it does get easier.



I wish you guys, hope you’ll find or whatever the peace and comfort he would have wished for you all.



Sincerely,


Eime and Noah

And Noah’s wish for his grandad he said, I wish you are alive and I love you very much and I am crying because you are gone.

Love,


Noah Norrie

Dear Mrs. Norrie and family of Doug

I am saddened by the news of Doug’s passing and pray for peace and comfort for his soul and family.

Doug was always kind and friendly while we taught together at the U of C several years ago. He was helpful and generous. He always radiated happiness with his smile and was gentle with his younger colleagues.

I shall always cherish memories of his friendship.

Sincerely,

Raj

Dear Andrew, Andrea, Nicholas, and Mitchell,

We are very sorry to hear of the loss of your father and grandfather. We send our prayers that you will find comfort in the many fond memories you created together.

With sympathy and warm thoughts,

Michael, Hyacinth, Matthew and Morgan

Dear Beatrice,

Graham and I send you our heartfelt sympathies at the death of Doug. You are both so often if our thoughts for your kindness and generosity; and for Doug’s gentle support to Graham when he arrived in Mechanical Engineering in July 1988. Doug gave me my first working opportunity in Canada. So many happy memories for us – we hope that your own wonderful memories of a lifetime with Doug sustain you, and the family, in the weeks and months to come.

Sending hugs.

Dear Beatrice, Janice, Paul, John, Andrew

With great sadness of your loss of a wonderful man and someone I’m proud to have had as an Uncle.

We did not see him a lot growing up but when he visited I always remember with fondness his quiet, kind ways.

You will all be in my thoughts today

Much love

Kotahi Manu I Tau Ki Te Tahuna

Tau Atu Tau Atu Kua Tau Mai

One bird has come to rest on the beach,

With others who will follow

Corrina Parker(Norrie)

Dear Beatrice and Family

On behalf of Carol, David, Katie, Simon and Anna-Leigh and all of the family in New Zealand and Australia, we are very saddened by Doug’s passing.

We will all have our memories of Doug and you all in particular will have many memories.

Growing up in NZ with you guys in Canada meant that we did not get share much time with you all but my first memories of Doug go back to when I was a very young boy and staying often at Nana & Grandads (Doug’s mom and dad) place. They had all of Doug’s then published books and in the evenings, often before or after playing mahjong they would talk of Doug and Beatrice with lots of admiration and stories about Doug when he was younger and going to university, living in the UK and Australia. No doubt they were missing you both.

Overseas Experiences were not that common back then and Canada was a long way away. Luckily with visits between both countries we got to know Doug and Beatrice a lot more than when I was a young lad. For that we are indeed happy and grateful.

Apart from his professional achievements Doug was a person with a lot of empathy for others, he took an active interest in getting to know you and understand matters and providing help where he could.

Then like most careers they come to an end, Doug retired from academia and then re-invented himself, going on to obtain his commercial pilots licence at an age when most others are thinking of playing pétanque or cards. An impressive achievement that speaks highly of Doug’s personality, to be active, challenged and the discovery of new things.

It has been our fortune and pleasure to have shared a very small part of Doug’s life. We take things for granted and then in one moment what what took for granted is gone. Doug’s passing leaves a big hole in all of our hearts and minds.

From all of us In NZ and Australia we extend our love and condolences to our Canadian family.

To Beatrice, Janice, Paul, John, Andrew

No words can assist you with your sorrow and loss, but some words may assist you with your pride in such a great man, who you had the privilege of calling husband and father.

Our lives may be short or long, but never linear. There are moments, or people, that have huge impact on us and set us off on a new trajectory the changes us.

And ultimately may define our entire journey.

For me, Doug was one of those people. When at a naïve and tender age of 17, you kindly hosted me into your lives, and I was in a world of confusion and excitement about the big wide world I had discovered. Napier, New Zealand was not so big after all!

An empathetic ear, lengthy discussions, and very wise council from Doug resulted in an intervention that set me on a new course, one which yielded very happy results.

I cannot understate what an impact he had on my life, and I am sure I was one of many – probably hundreds, possibly thousands, if not more. Who would really know how many hearts he touched? Souls he guided?

With his kind, gentle and powerful words.

A great loss to me.

A greater loss you all.

Thank you for sharing him.

Be very proud that few people could have left a greater mark in our earthly years.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers,

With much love and gratitude

Wayne Norrie

Dear Beatrice,

I am so sorry to hear Doug has died. I met him several times, mainly though you,and know you were a closely bonded family. Please accept my sympathy and hope that with your friends and family your memories will be strong and supportive.

Kindest regards,

Roy Brown

Our sincere condolences Paul, Mrs. Norrie and whole Norrie family.

We were very saddened to hear of Mr. Norrie’s passing! We remember him as a kind and intelligent man with lots of enthusiasm! He was a person of many accomplishments and very blessed. The world is indeed a better place for having had him in it. A life very well lived and experienced.

May your memories comfort you in the coming weeks and months

Our thoughts are with u all,

Bev & Keith Madsen

Andrea……My heart is sadning to hear of the passing of your father-in-law.

I pray that your family will have strength in these difficult times.

Dear Beatrice ,

Mary and are saddened by your loss. We extend our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

Thinking of you,

Mary Anderson & Janice Klein

Dear Beatrice,

I am so sorry for your loss. He was a remarkable man. I always saw the two of you as the ultimate role models for aging with spirit, adventure and grace. May his memory be a blessing. My condolences to you and your family.

Hanita Dagan

Hello Janice and thank you for your email. I had just received a call from Chris about the sad news. I loved my brother and with many, admired his tenacity, his gentleness and his readiness to help others. My brother journey s on, Now thru the mists of time to another place of Love, Joy and Peace. He ran a good race and I and we are all proud of him. It is so good to know that he was not alone as he went this traverse, We will be in his company again.

May Love and Peace surround you and I in our grief.

Sailor rest your oar, we have the watch. Fair winds and following seas.

Dear Andrea, Andrew, Nicholas, and Mitchell,

What a life well lived and such a man so well loved! His legacy continues on through all of you. May you find peace and comfort in his enduring love for you and yours to him.

Merle, Shane, and Boys

Dear Beatrice and family,

I’m so sorry to hear about Douglas’s passing. I have many great memories of the time we spent together in Mechanical Engineering, and developed a deep appreciation for him on both a personal and professional level. He was always a kind and thoughtful gentleman, and must say that he enjoyed life very much while accomplishing so much.

My sincere condolences,

– Edwin Mikulcik

Dear Beatrice and Family. We were neighbours for 41 years and during that time came to appreciate what a kind and caring man Doug was. He loved his gardens and spent most of his summer caring for them. He always had a smile and a wave and a willingness to help with anything. We are sorry for the loss of your loving husband and father.

Gerry and Family

I was talking with family last night about the first time I met your mom and dad. I was a young teen and had looked through your dad’s book. I didn’t understand any of it but I was very proud – maybe I was more proud because I didn’t understand it! I remember seeing this big equation “dah di dah di dah = 0”. I was very perplexed and couldn’t wait for your dad to arrive in New Zealand so I could ask him a question. If this whole thing equals zero, that’s the same as nothing – how is that useful?

I can’t remember his answer and I’m sure I didn’t understand. But I was nevertheless very impressed.

Uncle Doug was an inspiration to me. His book was an inspiration to me. His answer was an inspiration to me. Because one day I wanted to understand. I could look up to him and wonder if one day I could aspire so high. To this day, I still look up to him and wonder if I could aspire so high.

He will always live on in my heart.

Dear Paul and Family.

I am very saddened by the passing of your dad.

Will surely miss driving him in my vintage Land Rover to the Flying Field at Woodland, while having conversations about the smell of overheating gear oil and water leaking into a old Land Rover. His reply was, English cars leak oil out and water in. So all is normal.

My sincere condolences to your Mom and Family.

Warm regards

Helmuth J. Zotter

Dear Paul and family,

Sincere condolences from Nina and I.

If as I believe, the true measure of a man is the offspring and family he has raised, a great man will indeed be missed.

Our heartfelt sympathies to you and your family.

Dear Beatrice,

I just heard the sad news from Liz. I am so sorry. Please accept my sincere condolences. Maureen

To Beatrice and family,

It is sad to lose and have to part, but sorrow is sweetened somewhat as the life mourned was so well lived and shared so wholeheartedly. As Douglas said, it was a privilege to have lived his life, and our privilege was to be some part of that and know such a giving, talented and caring man.

With much love,

– Liz

Dear Janice,

Wishing you strength and love. The memories you shared with your father will keep him alive in your hearts forever.

Beaming you love from Keith and Louise