Tom Norris: Lumby's First Teacher

BIRTH:  May 22, 1874 (Bolton, Ontario)
DEATH:  March 22, 1960

• Got into Real Estate and Insurance.
• Moved from place to place.
• Accomplished much during his lifetime.

Tom Norris was born in Bolton Ontario on May 22, 1874. He was the second youngest child from a total of nine brothers and sisters. Thomas acquired his certificate for teaching at the University of Toronto. In his spare time, Tom enjoyed playing sports during his school years.

At the age on nineteen he left home and travelled westward. His journey was ended when he hit the White Valley area. He taught in the area for roughly five years, and then moved to Klondike. It wasn't long, and Tom returned to Lumby where he ended up marrying a former student; Edna Mary. They were married on Feb. 28, 1900. Between Tom and Edna Norris, they conceived five children.

In 1915 or 1916, the Norris family moved to Vernon, living on the old Price Ellison property where Capitol Motors, Tasty-Freeze, etc. are today. While they lived in Vernon, Tom was a partner with Arthur Cochrane in Real Estate and Insurance for about seven years. During this time, Tom and Edna's children were in the process of completing their high school education.

Sometime in 1923 the family returned to Lumby once again. Tom continued to carry on with Real Estate and Insurance. After the death of Edna, Tom sold the Real Estate part of his business and continued to pursue Insurance. After a broken hip and failing health, Tom Norris sold it to Mr. Pat Duke.

Tom passed away on May 22, 1960 in Vernon's Jubilee Hospital. This was just two months before his eighty-seventh birthday.