WELSH, NORMAN FRANCIS
Passed away in Windsor Ontario on March 15, 2008 at 83 years of age. Beloved husband of the late Dawn (1975) and Shirley (2006). Loving father of Tony and wife Andrea, Elaine and husband Steve Richardson. Dear Granddad of Alexandra, Katherine, Emma and David. Brother of John and wife Rosemary Welsh, uncle of Stephen and Deborah. Norman was a professor of Theater Arts at York University and U.C.L.A. until his retirement in 1993. Norman served in the Royal Air Force during World War II as an aircraft mechanic. After the war he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, graduating in 1948 before joining the Old Vic theatre company from 1948 to 1950. Norman went on to do repertory theatre in Dundee and Glasgow until he joined the London Theatre Company and traveled with them to Canada where he remained, marrying one of the members of the company Dawn Lesley (Hobbs). Norman performed many seasons at both the Shaw and Stratford Festivals as well the inaugural season of the Neptune Theatre in Halifax. In Toronto Norman performed at the Crest Theatre, The Canadian Players, The St. Lawrence Centre as well as numerous other plays, films, television and radio productions in the UK, Canada and the United States. Norman appeared in over
80 radio and television productions for the CBC including the lead role in a television production of Dracula. Norman was very proud of his teaching work and enjoyed the energy and enthusiasm of his students. While teaching at Banff in 1976 Norman met Mary Corrigan and enjoyed many years with her in California. He particularly enjoyed spending many summers teaching at Oxford with the British American Drama Academy, something he also shared with Mary.
This also afforded him time to visit with his extended family in England, times which he cherished. Norman retired to British Columbia, met and married Shirley and loved the west coast until he moved closer to family following Shirley's death. Norman's family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of Oak Park LaSalle and especially to all the wonderful staff at Sunrise Senior Living where Norman lived until his passing. Special thanks as well to the nursing staff of St Elizabeth Health Care (specifically Sheri and Tina) and CCAC. If you so desire, donations to the Alzheimer's Chapter Windsor and Essex Co. would be appreciated
by the family. Visiting Wednesday 3-5 and 7-9 pm. Funeral service Thursday , 1 pm at Families First Funeral Home & Tribute Centre
(519-969-5841) 3260 Dougall Ave., Windsor, Ontario. Cremation to follow. Share memories, make a donation or light a candle at FamiliesFirst.ca.