Obituary of Norman McLellan

Norman Bruce McLellan passed away surrounded by family at Riverview Gardens in Chatham, Ontario on Friday, October 4th, 2024.

Norm was born to Donald and Muriel McLellan on August 20th, 1935, on a farm in Denfield, where his strong work ethic and devotion to family were instilled in him from a very early age. He married his soulmate, Shirley Irene Talbot, on July 22nd, 1961, whom he described as his “Angel sent from Heaven” on many occasions. Their 63-year marriage set a shining example of what love and dedication mean to all who have been fortunate enough to witness it.

His people skills and passion for learning new things led to a successful sales career with Xerox Canada and Bell Mobility after moving to Chatham in 1971.

Norm always had a new joke (and some not-so-new) that he could deliver in a way that had you laughing before dropping the punchline (even if you knew what it was). He was never happier than when he sat at the head of the table after a meal, laughing with family and sipping his Grand Marnier.

Norm had a strong passion for aviation and served as the President of the Chatham Aeronauts, where many lifelong friendships were formed. His flying skills and precision in hand-building scale models of WWII aircraft earned Norm many awards and made his creations the star attractions at air shows across southwestern Ontario during his lifetime.

Norm is survived by his brother Grant and sister-in-law Phyllis. His family was his crowning achievement in life, and he is survived by his wife Shirley, his sons Don, Darren and Bryan, their spouses Penny, Robyn and Anna and his grandchildren James, Maddy, Alex, Ally, Oliver & Archie McLellan. Norm is predeceased by his parents Donald and Muriel, sister Mary, and brothers Stewart & Bob.

Although not family by blood, Bruce Warwick was always referred to as his “Brother from another Mother” and was the best friend a man could ever wish for.

Cremation will take place on Monday, October 7th, and a date for a Celebration of Life is forthcoming.

Special thanks to the staff at Riverview Gardens in Chatham and Pastor Greg Simpson from St. Andrews Church.

Donations are gratefully accepted in remembrance of Norm’s extraordinary life to the Canadian Cancer Society and/or the Canadian Aviation Museum.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

of sun-split clouds,—and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,

I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air ....

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue

I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark nor ever eagle flew—

And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

John Gillespie McGee Jr.