Norman POLLOCK

POLLOCK, Norman Joel
July 30, 1957 - June 21, 2012
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Norm Pollock at the age of 54 years on June 21, 2012 at his home in Edmonton, AB, following a brave battle with ALS.
Norm will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Janet,
sons Shawn and David, mother Arnice (Winnipeg), sisters Carol (Vancouver) and Ellen (Stewart) (Winnipeg), brother Kenny (Lori) (Phoenix) as well as his entire extended family and his many, many friends. He was predeceased by his father, Harold, in 2008.
Norm was born and raised in Winnipeg. After three years of study at the University of Manitoba, he moved to Edmonton in 1978 to complete his law studies at the University of Alberta, graduating in 1980 as one of the top students in his class. His 32 year
legal career was nothing short of brilliant, and he will be remembered as a skilled
and compassionate litigator by his law partners, associates and staff at the firm of Witten LLP, by the many lawyers he practiced with and against, by the many judges he appeared before, by the many students at the U of A Faculty of Law he taught as a sessional lecturer of Trial Advocacy for 17 years, and by his many clients who were privileged to know him and benefit from his devotion to them and their causes.
Norm was a skilled athlete and moved with grace and ease from sport to sport. He was particularly skilled at his first love - baseball. He was a founder of the Edmonton Jewish Baseball League and the Edmonton Jewish Hockey League and he took his turn behind the bench to coach his son David's minor hockey and soccer teams. He was a lifetime golfer and delighted in organizing annual golf tours with his friends. The highlight of his sporting life was their pilgrimage to Scotland in 2007 to play the Old Course at St. Andrews, a trip taken a few months after Norm was diagnosed with ALS.
Throughout his life, Norm devoted many hours to community service volunteer activities, nearly always as a leader by deed and by example. His service started during his high school years as a leader in B'nai Brith Youth Organization and continued during his adult years as a member of various boards, including the Alzheimer Society of Alberta, the ALS Society of Alberta, and the Talmud Torah Society. Norm and Janet joined with other families to create the first Fragile X parents support group in Edmonton.
The Province of Alberta appointed Norm a Queen's Counsel at a relatively early stage
in his legal career. Her Majesty clearly took note of his continuing service throughout
his life, when six days prior to Norm's passing, His Honour, the Honourable Lt. Governor Donald Ethell and Her Honour Mrs. Linda Ethell paid a visit to Norm and Janet at their home to award Norm the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for Norm's outstanding contributions to Canadian society through his work on behalf of the ALS Society of Canada.
Norm collected friends by osmosis. His engaging, strong-willed personality, energy, and passion for life drew people to him like a magnet. His closest group of friends became the boys of FLG - the Friday Lunch Group, who have been meeting for over 30 years. His absence will leave a major gap at the table.
Above all, Norm cherished his family. He fell in love with Janet at their first meeting
and immediately proclaimed that he would one day marry her. They were married in 1979 and Janet remained the love of his life. Janet, together with their sons Shawn and David, were the rocks who provided comfort and loving support during the final years of his life as he struggled valiantly and courageously with the knowledge that the insidious disease that afflicted his body would ultimately end his life.
Norm's family extends their utmost gratitude and appreciation to the ALS Society of Alberta, the ALS Clinic, and the wonderful team of doctors, nurses, caregivers,
and friends who sustained and supported them through the most difficult and
darkest of times.
In lieu of flowers, Norm's family asks that donations be made in Norm's memory to the ALS Society of Alberta at: www.alsab.ca. Norm's funeral will be held on Sunday, June
24 at 11:00 a.m. at the Edmonton Chevra Kadisha Chapel at 12313-105 Avenue, with interment to follow at the Edmonton Jewish Cemetery at 7622-101 Avenue.