Today we had a bit of a shock when the principal of our school came to our office at lunch to tell us that one of our own ( he retired 3 years ago) had passed away suddenly this morning. Norm Corbett was a kind and gentle soul. He went to Richmond Secondary as a student and came back as a teacher. He taught law and social studies. He was my mentor and my friend during my first year of teaching. Our rooms were right next to one another. We would go for drinks on Fridays after work at JP Malones in Richmond and he would tell me how many days he had left until he could retire. John would play crib with him every lunch in the staff room. Norm travelled to Powell River for our wedding with his wife and if my book wasn't in storage I would go though it to see his photo again. Norm loved being retired. He doted on his wife and children and he loved his dog. The suddenness of his death brings me back to the same place I was just at almost 2 months ago when Rhys passed away so suddenly. I'm shocked and sad. I shed tears again at work and students saw the human side of their teachers this afternoon. My heart goes out to Norm's family.
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