Norman Edgar Hamilton

Norm and his first wife Karen, who predeceased Norm in 2004, were founders and fundraisers for the North Shore Hospice Society. It was Norm and Karen's hard work and dedication to improving hospice care that was a major catalyst that helped realize the North Shore Hospice to what it is today.

Norm was a highly respected Chief Surgeon at Lions Gate Hospital where he practiced from 1969 until his retirement in 1999.

Norm was passionate about his career. He was a past President of the BC Surgical Society and he was a proud member of the American College of Surgeons. Before deciding to become a surgeon, Norm did an undergraduate degree in Geology and worked for Imperial Oil in the Alberta Oil Fields. Norm was a lifeguard and bellhop at the Chateau Lake Louise. Norm graduated Medicine at the top of his class at the University of Alberta and interned under his mentor and eventual father in law Dr. Robert Laird in Toronto. Norm also had the unique opportunity to meet the surgeon who operated on John F. Kennedy. Norm is remembered, not only as a respected surgeon, but he was instrumental in teaching Advanced Trauma Care and he expanded the BC Ambulance Service and BC Medi-Vac.

After Karen passed away, Norm eventually, and through mutual friends, met Anne Verdicchio. After a lovely connection and courtship, Norm and Anne were married in 2009 on Bowen Island in a beautiful setting at Anne's family's home.

Anne provided amazing love, compassion and care for Norm and was holding his hand and comforting Norm as he passed.

Norm was predeceased by his wife Karen(nee Laird), his father, William, his mother Anne(nee Gardener) and his brother Morley.

Norm is survived by his wife, Anne, daughter Jackie(Tim), sons Rob(Marcia), Bill( Elaine), Jeff (Sharron),and Greg( Erica), grandchildren, Lydia, Gabriel, Mikayla, Jeffrey, Justin, Allison, Lucas, Keely, Mayon, Olivia and Ryan, great granddaughter Freya, step daughters Lynne, Lisa and Maria, step grandchildren Patrick, Sam, Aidan, Shanna, Ciera and Brandon, step great grandchild Silas, sisters in law Wendy Briggs-Jude and Whitney Cahoon and his many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Dad was passionate about arts, culture and history. He was an avid reader of both fiction and nonfiction and he had a sharp and inquisitive mind.

Norm enjoyed his spare time gardening, travelling and spending time at his rustic cabin at Levette Lake.

If there was anything Dad was not good at, one was golf and the other was sitting still. Dad was always happy in his garden or doing rounds long after he retired from Lions Gate Hospital.

Surrounded by his loving children and family, Norm drifted off peacefully to be reunited with Karen while always remembering Anne's love and kindness.

Service will be held at West Vancouver United Church, on Sunday, September 24th, 2023 at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the North Shore Hospice and Palliative Project in Norm’s name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialnorthvancouver.com for the Hamilton family.