NORMAN JOEL POLLOCK

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NORMAN JOEL POLLOCK July 30, 1957 June 21, 2012 It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Norman Pollock, on June 21, 2012, at his home in Edmonton, Alberta following a brave battle with ALS. Norm will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Janet (Lerner), sons Shawn and David, mother Arnice (Winnipeg), sisters, Carol (Vancouver) and Ellen (Stewart Leibl) (Winnipeg), brother Kenny (Lori Leinburd) (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. He attended the I.L. Peretz Folk School, Jefferson Junior High and Garden City Collegiate. After three years of study at the University of Manitoba, he moved to Edmonton in 1978 to complete his law degree at the University of Alberta. Norm graduated in 1980 as one of the top students in his class and was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1981; he was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1996. Norm's legal career spanned more than thirty years and he will be remembered as an expert and compassionate litigator, teacher and mentor. Norm was a skilled athlete and moved with grace and ease from sport to sport, playing organized baseball and hockey while growing up in Winnipeg and in adult leagues in Edmonton. As well, 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. Norm devoted many hours to community service volunteer activities. His service started during his high school years with his involvement in B'nai Brith Youth Organization in Winnipeg and continued during his adult years in Edmonton as a member of various boards, including the Alzheimer Society of Alberta, the ALS Society of Alberta, and the Talmud Torah Society. Together with other families, Norm and Janet were founding members of the Fragile X Society of Alberta. Just before his death Norm received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his outstanding contributions to Canadian society through his work on behalf of the ALS Society of Canada. Norm's funeral, officiated by Rabbi Carmit Harari of Temple Beth Ora, was held on Sunday June 24 at the Edmonton Chevra Kadisha Chapel, with interment at the Edmonton Jewish Cemetery. If desired, donations may be made in Norm's memory to the ALS Society of Alberta at www.alsab.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 07, 2012