Norman George Kinsella
June 5, 2026
In Loving Memory
Norman “Norm” George Kinsella
Norman (Norm) George Kinsella (February 8, 1945-June 5, 2026) is survived by his wife Kathy and sons Ian and Grant (Sabrina), granddaughters Fiona and Haley and his sister Linda. Norm was born in Montreal, educated in Calgary, and spent his career in Quebec, BC, and Alberta teaching and administering ESL programs and policies. Norm was a longtime model railroader with a wonderful eye for detail on the layouts and models that he built from scratch. His love of music and his passion for trains will be remembered by us all.
Thanks to the staff at the Marjory Snowden Hospice in Kamloops for their care and kindness during Norm’s final weeks.
A memorial-celebration will be held on Wednesday, August 5th at 2pm at Sorrento Retreat and Conference Centre, 1159 Passchendaele Rd, Sorrento, BC.
If you wish to make a donation in memory of Norm, we would suggest the Kamloops Hospice, 72 Whiteshield Cres South, Kamloops, V2E 2S9 or Sorrento Retreat and Conference Centre, Box 99, Sorrento, BC V0E 2W0.
Arrangements entrusted to
Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-554-2324
Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services:
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Comments: 2
Dear Kathy, Ian, Grant & Family,
I was deeply saddened by the news of Norm’s passing. I lost my wife, Carol, recently and I know the deep hurt that you are feeling. This is not an easy journey, but I have found that the love and company of family and friends offers some comfort , and stands as a loving reminder of the enduring impact of Norm’s life on so many people. The collective grief of the extended Sorrento community – friends & neighbours who have attended the centre over the years and had the privilege of Norm’s company – is significant and helps us all to remember the lovely man, husband, friend, and father Norm was. He will be greatly missed.
Some of my fondest summer Sorrento memories revolve around Norm and your family. I recall evenings around the campfire listening to Norm’s guitar and joining in the singing of favourite folk tunes. There were sudden and unexpected sprints off into to the night to check out the locomotive on an approaching train that I found hilarious. The sudden animation and anticipation in Norm’s manner was a joy to behold – he loved this stuff! Then there were unforgettable public performances by Grant and my son Ethan (who were onSYS staff together that summer)- just two guitars & two voices so beautifully done – and the excitement of their recording sessions using the centre’s sound and recording equipment – I still have the tapes! Then back in Calgary where Grant and friends were frequent occupants of our basement family room just as Ian had been some years before after Ian and Andrew (my oldest son) had been on SYS staff at Sorrento. I am thankful for Norm and Kathy & for these wonderful memories. I only wish our families could have crossed paths more often over the years.
God Bless and, once again, my deepest sympathies for your loss. Here’s to Norman Kinsella, and a life well lived!
Love & Hugs To All,
Ron
I was first introduced to Norm in 1995, when I was still but a snotty, belligerent teenager.
Despite the fact that we—as kids in Sherwood Park—were pretty much invariably up to no good, Norm always greeted me with well-mannered kindness and gentle politeness.
At a time in our lives when we would ofttimes go out of our way to avoid parents, running into Norm was never problematic. In fact, it was usually the opposite; he would always give us the respect and space that few others would give to a bunch of kids… although he did always seem unable to hide a bemused and all-knowing smile while doing so.
Other than one incident around the family dinner table, in which there was some (yet gracious) chastising over excessive use of ketchup, I will always remember him as immeasurably nice, with seemingly inexhaustible patience.
Throughout the years that followed, we children grew up, and I would encounter Norm fewer and fewer times. However every time we met, he never ceased to greet me heartily and sincerely, citing with great warmth the last time we met, and how glad he was that I was in his kids’ lives.
I will always remember Norm as peaceful, wise, and exceptionally easy-going to the point of veritable serenity, and often do remember him, as a man of impeccable character and good nature that I regularly hold up as an example I hope to emulate in myself, in how I treat others.
Thinking of your family, and wishing peace and love,
Ian J.