NORMAN MELVIN TILLEY

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NORMAN MELVIN TILLEY Peacefully on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at the Portage and District General Hospital, Norman M. Tilley passed into the presence of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at the age of 96 years. Norman was born at Pine Creek, MB, son of the late Ed and Agnes Tilley and grew up in the Pine Creek District where he received his education. At the age of 14, he attended tent meetings with his parents where he accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour. Throughout his life he enjoyed sharing his faith with his many friends and business associates. Norman married Mary Rey of Portage la Prairie in 1940 and they farmed on the Tilley farm until 1951. For two winters he worked at Narvey's Men's Wear in Portage la Prairie. Due to the distance for his daughters to attend school, he sold the farm and moved into Portage la Prairie. Later on Norman bought and sold grain for the N.M. Patterson Grain Company and the Red River Grain Company. In 1951, he became a Registered Real Estate Broker and for over 60 years sold residential, commercial and agricultural Real Estate in Portage la Prairie and throughout Manitoba. Mr. Tilley assisted in the formation of the Manitoba Real Estate Association, serving as President in 1964. That year he had the privilege of representing the MREB in Israel. In 1975 he helped establish the Portage Real Estate Board serving as President in 1975 and again in 1995. Just prior to his passing, he was recognized as the longest serving Real Estate Broker in Manitoba. As a strong community supporter, he served as Director on the Portage General Hospital Board for 12 years, Director of the Portage Community Development Corporation and as Vice-Chairman of the Central Plains Community Development Corporation. He also served from 1980 - 1986 on the Portage la Prairie City Council, acting as Property and Finance Chairman. Norman was a Charter Member of the Portage Gideon camp and for many years was faithful in Bible distribution to grade 5 students in area schools and other institutions in the area. For over 30 years, Norman and Mary enjoyed fellowship with the Christians at the Pine Creek Gospel Hall. In 1980 he joined several families in the establishment of Crescent Heights Chapel and for the past number of years he has fellowshipped at Fortier Gospel Chapel. Predeceased by his parents, his first wife Mary, in 1982, his only sister Ellen Knox and her husband Sid Knox. Norman is survived by his loving wife, Wanda whom he married in 2002, three daughters, Louise Jeffries (Albert), Carlene Walmsley (Raymond) and Joy Walker (Dennis), as well as one stepson Barry Roy (Karen) five grandchildren, Nancy Patten (Andrew), Heather Jeffries, David Jeffries, Tanya Sawka (Tristan) and Catherine Briggs as well as two step-grandchildren Nicole and Logan Roy and four great-grandchildren: Michael, Daniel, and Carissa Patten and Ava Walmsley Sawka. Viewing will take place on Thursday, September 5, 2013 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Crescent Heights Chapel, 1745 Saskatchewan Ave. W., Portage la Prairie. Funeral service and reception will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 6, 2013 at the MNP Exhibition Hall, (on the Island) Royal Road South, Portage la Prairie. There will be viewing one hour prior to the service. Following the reception interment will be at the family plot in Hillside Ceremony. If friends so desire donations in honour of Norman Tilley may be made to the Gideon Memorial Bible Plan Box 3619, STN Main, Guelph, ON N1H 9Z9. Arrangements have been entrusted to: ronaldmoffitmemorialservices.com Ronald Moffit Memorial Services 1-204-856-3487 Portage la Prairie, MB

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 04, 2013