BEST, Norman Alexander 12th September 1930 – 13th October 2018 Born and raised in Hamilton and living in Dundas for the last 23 years, Norman Alexander Best departed this world Saturday, October 13 at the age of 88.
His was a long and full life lived with integrity and gusto alongside his beloved wife of 67 years, Ruth Marion (nee Showell), who survives him along with their three children, Christina, Diane, and Michael, their spouses Michael, Mark and Shelly, and seven grandchildren.
Norm never did anything part way, and nowhere was this more evident than in his devotion, over a 60-year career in Ontario’s education, culture, and arts sectors. He held positions ranging from classroom teacher in Hamilton, Master at Hamilton Teachers College, Assistant Curriculum Superintendent in the Ministry of Education and Director in the Ministry of Culture and Recreation. Toward the end of his professional life, he founded a consultancy providing advice and services to several important arts and culture projects around the globe. Norm rounded out his career being influential through serving on several Boards of Directors. A founding Director of Community Arts Ontario, he also served on the boards of The Coalition for Arts Education in Ontario, The Living Arts Centre in Mississauga and Hamilton Children’s Choir. A life changing opportunity came for Norm and his young family when he was asked to serve as Education Officer in Nairobi, Kenya by the Canadian International Development Agency and the Kenya Institute of Education. These two years in Africa ignited a sense of curiosity and wanderlust that led Norm and his family to travel to many corners of the earth.
Norm was well regarded for his love of gardening, a year-round commitment for him as he started plants from seed over the winter under basement lamps. Norm and Ruth were recognized by this paper just last summer (Aug. 30, 2017) for their marvelous gardening efforts. When not traveling or gardening, Norm was a fixture at the Dundas Valley Golf Club. He is best remembered for his willingness to fully embrace life and be in companionship with those around him, whether he was traveling to exotic places, engaging in boisterous debate, or preparing delicious meals for those he loved.
The family asks that donations be made to Carpenter House Hospice in Burlington in lieu of flowers.
We will celebrate Norm’s life with fond recollections on November 17, 2018 at The Circle of Life Centre, 100 King St. E., Dundas from 1 till 4 p.m