WITHERS, Norman Fraser, passed away after a year long illness on January 4, 2024 at his home in St.Clair township with his family present. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Lynne (Firby), their children-Amy (Edward) Mazey, Andrew (Christie), Alan (Keri), Aaron (Leah) and Adam (Kyla) and their 23 grandchildren: Kyra (Dekker) Smith, Mikaela Stocking, Malachi, Eliana and Lyle Mazey; Jordan, Ashley (Cole) Oswald, Hunter and Tyler; Spencer (Natasha), Savannah (Gregory) Taylor, Emma, Ethan, Eliza and Benson; Abbigail, Anna, Lilly and Brooklyn; Carter, Haley, Tate and Dak; their 3 great grandchildren-Merrick and Mazey Smith and Callahan Withers. Sisters-Anne (late Pete) Gowrie and Linda (Charles) Perry, brother in law Douglas (Lisa) Firby, 19 nieces and nephews and their families, special cousin Jayne Miles and step brother John (Marion) Ford. Predeceased by his parents Margaret (Kennedy, Ford) and brother in law Leo (Jean) Bradshaw. Norm was a graduate of the University of Waterloo and worked for Imperial Oil Limited for 27 years and then Sarnia Propane. As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints all of his life, Norm served in many callings including Branch President and Bishop. Over the years he made many close friends through the church. He was involved as a leader in the Cub Scout program for over 25 years. He loved to go hunting and fishing and is remembered by his hunting buddies especially Neil Gorton and Brian Savidant. However, he most enjoyed going up north and hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren. Another favorite activity was traveling, especially cruises, with Lynne and their traveling/adventure companions Alan and Margaret Lester. Faith, family and the farm were his main loves. He was a good friend to many and touched a lot of people’s hearts. He will be missed by all who knew him. The family would like to thank all the members and friends of the Sarnia ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Lambton palliative care team Dr. David Kim, VON eshift especially Gloria, Shayne and Coni, Care Partners especially Adrian, Beth from VON respite, the VON nursing staff especially Danielle and all the staff at Twin Bridges Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic, for all their care and support which enabled Norm to stay at home.
Visitation
There will be a visitation at Steadman Brothers Funeral Home in Brigden on Monday, January 8, 2024 from 4:00-8:00pm followed by a visitation at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1400 Murphy Road in Sarnia, from 9:30 to 10:30am on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
Funeral Service
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 11am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1400 Murphy Road in Sarnia. Burial will be in Bear Creek Cemetery, St. Clair township, just down the road from home.
Donations
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made by cheque to the Diabetes Canada (www.diabetes.ca) or the Heart and Stroke Foundation (www.heartandstroke.ca).
