Obituary of Norm Barnecut

October 16, 1939 – December 9, 2023

John Norman “Norm” Reginald Barnecut passed away in his sleep at the age of 84 on December 9, 2023 at his home in Calgary.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Diann Gayle (nee Willis), his two children, John Richard “Stephen” Norman Barnecut, his wife Karen “Michelle" MacDonald, and their children Richard “Noah” Stephen Barnecut and Alecia Marina Nachtigal; and Laetitia Diana Born, her husband Jason Cory Born, and their children Everitt Jacob Born (Stefanie) and Payton Maddux Born; and by his sister’s family including his brother-in-law, George Callow, and his three sons Douglas, Brian and Bruce, and their families.

Norm was predeceased by his father and mother, Reginald Barnecut of Devonshire, England and Aletha Arabella Wood of Kingston, Ontario, his sisters Henrietta Mary “Etta Mae” and Elizabeth Alethea “Betty”, and his brother William Edgecombe.

Norm was born in Calgary, Alberta on October 16, 1939. In 1966, he graduated from the University of Alberta in Calgary with a Bachelors of Science in Math. Norm and Gayle were married at Central United Church on November 12, 1966, joined the choir in 1973, and Norm became an Elder in the late 1970s. They have been members of the Central United for over 50 years. Norm was recruited early on to help maintain the 1917 Casavant pipe organ and had been passionate about restoring and rebuilding it ever since.

Norm worked as a computer programmer and manager at the University of Calgary, eventually holding the role of Assistant Director, Manager Operating Systems until his retirement in 2003. Since retiring, Norm has kept busy gardening, cycling, enjoying live music and continuing to learn about technology and cybersecurity. Having played trumpet in his youth, he recently began practicing it again. He was a member of the Revv52 choir and a regular attendee of both the Calgary and Canmore Folk Festivals. In his 70s, he began making annual trips to the UK where he would revisit places from his 1976 sabbatical or explore new places. Norm has been instrumental in the recent modernization of Central United’s organ.

A Celebration of life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Graveside Service for family will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Burnsland Cemetery. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Norm's family here.

In living memory of Norman Barnecut, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.