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Dr. Norman L. CRABTREE

June 7, 2005

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a devoted husband, proud father, indulgent grandfather, and loyal friend: a man of indomitable spirit, strength and energy who touched the lives of many. After battling Multiple Myeloma for many years with courage and grace, he faced his final brief illness without complaint. Born on January 9th, 1922 in Derby,

England, Norman went into insurance work. At the beginning of the war, he volunteered in the fire prevention branch of the Civil Defence being sent out to various locations within England where bombing was occurring. After the war he worked for the Save the Children Fund in Holland and Germany organising the resettlement of Polish, Estonian, and Latvian orphaned children. He then trained as a dentist at Guy’s Hospital, London qualifying in 1955. After two years practice in England he emigrated to Chilliwack. He loved his adopted city and felt it a privilege to serve there as a dentist for over 40 years; a trustee of the Chilliwack School District for 16 years, 10 as chair; a Board Member of the Fraser Valley College for 10 years; a committee member of the University College of the Fraser Valley; a member of the Rotary Club of Chilliwack for 39 years, including a term as President. He was honoured for his contributions to the community as Citizen to be Recognized in 1988, a Paul Harris Fellow, and the recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. He leaves behind him his wife Margaret of over 50 years, five children: Thomas (Brenda) Crabtree, Jean (Parviz) Fadai, Mary Anne Crabtree (Gene Jamieson), Sarah Crabtree (Ivan Diansyahputra), Chris Crabtree (Carl McConnell), ten grandchildren: Andrew, Katelyn, Nabil, Samuel, Ella, Gabriel, Devi, Tari, Patrick and Thomas, his sister Margaret (George) Prasher in England with nephews and great nieces and nephews. He will be especially missed at the semi-annual weekend trips to Manning Park that he organized to gather the entire family. He drew his last breath in this world and continued his spiritual journey embraced by his beloved family. It was exactly as he would have wanted it and a great strength to us to have shared that experience.



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