Obituary of Norman Bernard Patrick

 True to his word, Norman passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 19, 2021. Left to remember are his wife Arleen (nee Greenfield); daughter Janis Patrick (Ken From), and children Alexander (Sabra) and Haley Keen; daughter Lori Patrick (Doug Woodside), and children Sam and Luke Woodside; sisters Emily Onagi and Sharon Vanchu (Ron); as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Violet George (nee Yee Yum); father Joseph Kelly; and brother-in-law, Allan Onagi.

Born at the Grey Nuns Hospital in Regina on November 3, 1936 and growing up in the Village of North Regina provided Norm with a colourful background and lifelong friends from the north Regina gang. He lost an eye to a BB gun pellet as a young boy, was tasked with moving gambling tables around Regina for “the family” and was particularly close with his grandparents, enjoying visits with them at their establishment, the New Wonder Cafe on 11th Avenue.

Norm’s passion was his career as a Respiratory Technologist. He trained and worked at the Calgary General Hospital until 1977 when he transferred to the Regina General Hospital. In 1985 Norm became the Director of Respiratory Services for the three Regina hospitals. He was truly dedicated to his work and lived by his motto “the patient always comes first”. Norm was a humble person who provided many patients, including newborns with compassion and exemplary care. In 1988, he was chosen as employee of the year. The following year, Norm devised a modular transport ventilation system for twins, providing lifesaving service to neonates living in rural areas. For this he was thanked by the Canadian Health Minister and was recognized in a medical journal.

Norm had great admiration and respect for the nurses and his other colleagues, many of whom will remember him for his expertise and vast repertoire of jokes.

Active until his health started to decline, Dad’s exercise regimen included running the stairs at the hospital, running the stairs at home, skipping, and biking. Ever the pragmatist and at the forefront of high-tech athletic gear, Norm fashioned garbage bags into exercise wear, inexplicably cut the family 2% milk with powdered milk and foregoing deadbolts, securing the house with butter knives in the door jam, ever ready for the home invasion that never happened. Dad turned every garbage day into an event and may well have ushered in road rage. Daily cod liver oil was a must – he sold strawberry flavour as a treat and white bread did not cross the threshold. Dad placed rocks on the washing machine lid when we were young so we couldn’t open the lid and fall in and we were well into our teens before we were allowed to ride our bikes off the sidewalk. After weekend stair running (which shook the house for 45 minutes) Dad enjoyed his music on repeat, lying on the living room floor in his sweaty garbage bags, headphones on and replaying the current favourite over and over. We will think of you every time we hear that Brandy is still a fine girl.

Norm never forgot from where he came. He was part Chinese and all Irish. Norm was particularly proud of his Irish heritage and in 1999 was able to meet with his extended Irish family who travelled to Regina from Belfast.

An animal lover, the family has asked that donations in Norm’s memory be made to the Regina Humane Society, Box 3143, Regina, SK, S4P 3G7.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a celebration of life will be held on a later date.