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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
BOWERS, Norman Bruce - My beloved husband of almost 63 years, Norman Bruce Bowers, passed away at the age of 82 at his home with family by his side on October 24, 2014. Norman was born on March 5, 1932 in Fort William, living here all his life except when serving in the Navy and Armed Forces. From 1951-1956 Norm served aboard the frigate HMCS Jonquiere 318 and aboard the tribal class destroyer HMCS Athabaskan, where he fought during the Korean War. He was part of the famous Train Busters Club that would destroy coastal enemy trains. He was awarded the United Nations Medal and Korea medal. Norman also served with the Infantry Regiment Queens Own Rifles of Canada from 1956 - 1963 becoming a medic in 1959. "Once a Queen's Own, Always a Queen's Own." Norman retired at the age of 55 from the Canadian Grain Commission. He spent his time with his family who he lived for. His hobbies were wood-working, crossword puzzles, especially the Sunday edition; talking politics and watching the news over and over again just in case he missed something. During Norman's early years, he was a very talented and skilled hockey player. He played left wing for the Fort William Canadians. The Montreal Canadiens bought his rights should he ever play in the NHL. He continued to play during his working years for the Grain Commission. Norm volunteered for many organizations during his life including the Aids Committee of Thunder Bay, where he received honors for Volunteer of the Year in 1990. He also coached little league baseball which was a passion of his. He helped and donated his time to his community, as well as numerous other organizations. Norman was predeceased by his father William Bowers, mother Annie Bowers and sister Betty McTaggart. Norman is survived by his wife Marion, his son Bill (Dodi), daughter Linda Gambee and son Richard (Cathy); grandchildren Cheri Whitehurst (Paul), Jason (Maria), Richard, Geoffrey Gambee (Carly), Karson, Mitchell, Kaden and Kacy; great-grandchildren Jade, Isabella, Nikko, Mackenzie, Hannah, Jack and Maddie, as well as his sisters Doreen McNabb, Sheila Workman (Peter) and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers (which he thought a wast of money), if family and friends so desire, a donation in his name to P.R.O. Kids Thunder Bay or the True Patriot Love Foundation would be much appreciated. A celebration of Norman's life will be held on Saturday November 1st, 2014 from 2-5 pm in the Solarium at the Slovak Legion on Atlantic Avenue.
Ships served in: HMCS ATHABASKAN - Served in ATHABASKAN during the Korean War
(NBB000) Portrait of Norman Bowers at HMCS CORNWALLIS (NBB000a) Four photos of Norman Bowers at HMCS CORNWALLIS
(NBB001 - NBB004) Sea Training make-up artists apply their trade for a casualty exercise on HMCS ATHABASKAN
HMCS ATHABASKAN rescues downed American pilot off Korea - who apparently was worth his weight in ice cream (NBB005) US aircraft marks position of down's pilot for HMCS ATHABASKAN'S whaler (NBB006) US pilot being brought aboard HMCS ATHABASKAN (NBB007 - NBB008) American pilot being jack-stayed back to his carrier
(NBB009 - NBB010) HMCS ATHABASKAN in dry dock at Sasebo, Japan (NBB011 - NBB013) Jackstay between HMCS ATHABASKAN and unknown ship - personnel transfer and bringing mail on board
(NBB014) HMCS ATHABASKAN in ice of Chodo, Korea, winter 1952-1953 (NBB015) Freighter off the Korean coast (NBB016) Admiral Maingay on HMCS ATHABASKAN (NBB017) "One of our guns" - HMCS ATHABASKAN (NBB018) Unknown sailor as jetty sentry for HMCS ATHABASKAN
(NBB019) Unknown officer and rating on HMCS ATHABASKAN
Poetry written by unknown sailors on HMCS ATHABASKAN during one of her Korean War tours. Norman transcribed (printed) the majority of the poems to make them easier to read . If the original was still in his collection it was added below the transcribed copy. Three of the poems are original written copies that were not transcribed.
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