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A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
SYMONDS, Norman Alec - Composer, musician, mariner, writer, and dreamer; August 21, 1998, Wellesley Hospital, Toronto, of heart and anemia problems, age 77. Born in Nelson, B.C., brought up in Victoria, Norman claimed the mountains, the sea, and Duke Ellington for his first creative influences. Then the Navy, trans-Atlantic convoy duty as a cook, and post-war Toronto as a jazz player by night and a music theory student by day. Norman's compositions expanded with the burgeoning Canadian music world, from jazz to orchestral, choral to chamber music, and theatre-for CBC Radio and TV, Stratford, the TSO, and many others, including Duke Ellington. The "Big Lonely" of the Canadian landscape and its scattered peoples was a constant theme in his work. He leaves brother Harry and sister Kate in B.C. As Norman requested, there will be a private cremation, and later a memorial gathering (place and time to be announced). Arrangements by Aftercare Funeral Alternatives, 416-440-8878. (The Globe and Mail 31 Aug 1998)
James Lowe, E.A. Morrison and Norman Symonds at the Bunny's Hall, Victoria Payday - 31 Oct 1939
From the collection of James Lowe, CPO Cook, RCN
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For Posterity's Sake 
