Obituary of Norville Beard Donovan McDERMOTT

McDERMOTT, Norville “Beard” Donovan January 11, 1944 – ST. Thomas, Jamaica May 3, 2013 – Calgary, Alberta Norville “Beard” Donovan McDermott passed away on Friday, May 3, 2013 after a hard courageous battle against cancer that was fought with great determination, strength, and dignity at the age of 69 years. Norville was born in St. Thomas, Jamaica to parents Mavis and Lorenza McDermott. After enjoying his childhood with his family in Jamaica, Norville made a decision in 1976 to come to Canada where he lived in Toronto, ON, finally settling in Calgary, AB. Throughout his life Norville always made a significant impact on those who were fortunate to have met him and were privileged to have been part of this incredible man’s life journey. His special ability to make people laugh, his contagious smile that affected everyone, his generosity and kindness and his dedication to his family, friends and to his faith have left a long lasting and inspirational footprint within the Jamaican and Canadian communities. The world lost a brave indomitable warrior in the war against cancer but heaven has gained a precious angel. “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow”. “The winds that sometimes take something we love are the same that bring us something we learn to love. Therefore we should not cry about something that was taken from us, but, yes, love what we have been given because what is really ours is never gone forever”. –Bob Marley. “Love the life you live. Live the life you love”. -Bob Marley. “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain”. -Bob Marley. “Don’t worry about a thing, every little thing is gonna be alright”. -Bob Marley Norville is survived by his daughters Michelle, Janet, Janice, Nadine and step-daughter Arvil; his son Orville; and by his brother Aubrey. Also left to mourn the loss of this extraordinary man is very special group of friends that were extremely important and meant the world to Norville or “Beard” as everybody fondly referred to him by. Remembering this great mentor is Bernadette (the special bond formed early in Bernadette’s life was a friendship that soon turned into more of a father-daughter relationship growing stronger as the years went on), and Dino (a relationship that was started and based on respect, guidance and mentoring was soon replaced and grew stronger the bond between a father and a son) and Josephine (the most caring, loving roommate anyone could ask for and thankfully Beard was blessed with her company), and to Elizabeth, Carlton, Delroy, Pawa, Sheryl, Ozzie, Science, Alton and Mankind cherish and share the incredible memories that were created by this special man to inspire and guide the generations to come even in his death. The family would like to sincerely thank the staff and volunteers at the Care West Sarcee Hospice for their wonderful care, continual kindness and loving support during this difficult time. It was a blessing and a privilege to be surrounded by a caring team of individuals who guided and supported Norville through his final journey in life and walked beside the family and friends making the pain of saying goodbye to our beloved “Beard” easier to understand and accept. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Eastside Memorial Chapel (5388 Memorial Drive N.E.) on Monday, May 27, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through . If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Norville’s name may be directed to Care west Sarcee Hospice (www.carewest.ca) or to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222. or to the “Jamaican Canadian Association Alberta” P.O. Box 22264, Bankers Hall, Calgary, AB, T2P 4K1 Telephone: 403-280-6704. Email: info@jcaalberta.com In living memory of Norville McDermott, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Eastside Memorial Chapel, 5388 MEMORIAL DRIVE N.E., Calgary, AB Telephone: 403-248-8585.