Former Alderman Peter Norys Passes Away

By Robert Thomas

Moose Jaw recently lost one of its good people with the passing of former Alderman Peter Norys a much respected former member of Council.

My own personal recollections of Peter were that he was soft spoken, straightforward and took the time to listen and understand the citizens he represented.

After I left writing for the newspaper now more than thirty years ago I would run into Peter, always it seemed with his wife Helen, as they seemed to show up to everything.

Simply because he was not a member of Council did not mean Peter still did not stay involved.

If the event mattered to Moose Jaw then Peter would be there.

Former member of City Council Alderman Peter Norys passed away January 25, 2022 at the age of 93 - photo credit Moose Jaw Today

I personally remember visiting his home on Keith Crescent one day for lemonade and I told Peter he lived in the rich part of town because of the great view it afforded him.

I was corrected it was a great view but he and Helen had worked very hard to get what they had.

Peter told me right then and there that there were better riches to ascribe to in this world than money.

He was a man of faith who had moved from the Holy Trinity Russian Greek Orthodox Church to the Catholic faith.

I remember asking him why one day and he did not really want to say but then Helen interjected “its because he met and married me.”

Peter was a regular in full Knights of Columbus ceremonial regalia complete with the sword at funerals, Canada Day and various other community functions.

Peter had just retired when I first met him over 30 years ago. He had just taken a new job as a funeral attendant for the Jones Funeral Home. He was a great fit for the job - soft spoken, kind hearted and full of empathy for everyone no matter what your economic standing was in the community.

When I first met Peter he was already at what that time was called an Alderman. It did not matter if you were a man or a woman in those days on Council everyone was called Alderman. Being an Alderman was something took great pride in.

The last time I met Peter was when Helen (who was driving) in the Superstore parking lot a few years ago when they were about to go shopping.

He told me he still watched Council every Monday night and was following it the best he could.

I remember telling him we needed people like him him to run for Council and get Moose Jaw back on track and going again.

I can still remember the conversation like it was yesterday.

“I am a little too old for that. We need young people like you to get out there and get involved and run for Council and let themselves be heard. Younger people need to step up and be heard,” Peter said.

I remember responding “I’m too old for that Peter.”

“OK then we need people younger than you to get active in the community,” Peter replied.

And with a gentle tug of his arm Peter said he and Helen had to go and get some shopping done.

Former Alderman Peter Norys, community volunteer, school teacher, funeral home usher and man of faith passed away on January 25, 2022 one day after his 90th birthday on January 24th.

His funeral mass was celebrated on February 4th at Church of Our Lady a church Peter helped raise funds to build.

He is survived by his wife Helen whom he met as a child and was married to for over 65 years.

Rest In Peace My Friend and thank you for making Moose Jaw a much better place.