Obituary of NORMAN JOSEPH COLLIN ST. HILAIRE

NORMAN ST. HILAIRE
AUGUST 19, 1962 – OCTOBER 8, 2023

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Norm on October 8, 2023, while in Casper, Wyoming.

Norm was predeceased by his niece Roxanne Chartier, his parents Rita and Georges St. Hilaire, and father-in-law Les Brown.

He will be sadly missed by his wife Marnie, his three sons Colin (Melissa), Charlie (Kelly, Cadance, Addyson), and Colton, two sisters Edith (Noel) and Elaine (Don), four brothers Gerald (Marj), Michel (Christine), Ben (Karis), Luc (Shawna),  mother-in-law Marilyn, brother-in-law Les (Jennifer), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Norm was born and raised in Aubigny, Manitoba. He grew up on the family farm, where he learned and developed a strong work ethic. He missed being in a combine during harvest time, and often spoke of those memories. He then moved on to Managro Harvester. There wasn’t anywhere in Manitoba where we drove that he could not point out a farm he worked at, and had a story to share. His profession then shifted to the trucking industry. First driving for George Smith, then moving on to J.P. Transport, where many a story was told from his adventures. He thoroughly enjoyed time on the road, seeing the sights and bullshitting with the other drivers. Though Norm hated change, he made the move to Len Dubois Trucking. He had not quite made the year with them. He enjoyed the people, the job, and his travels to different states which enabled him to be home more often.

Norm’s greatest joys were family and trucking. Family was his number one priority. He loved having family around and was always up for a family get together, big or small. He loved his three sons immensely. He talked highly of his older sons and how well they were doing in their lives. With his youngest, he got to relive his and the older boys hockey days by being a proud hockey dad again. Norm was happiest at home doing dad things and being involved in sports and making new friends amongst fellow parents.

Though he sacrificed family time at home or missed family gatherings, Norm was a dedicated truck driver. Family was always a phone call away when the loneliness and homesickness would hit him. He enjoyed seeing the scenery, talking about the people he would meet along the way. He hated sitting idle for too long and would cut a vacation short because he needed to get back on the road. Many calls from fellow drivers helped keep him in the loop. It was evident how dedicated he was to the job. No matter how he was feeling, that load had his name on it and had to be delivered. The job that he loved, ultimately, became the job that took him from us.

Norm is, and will always be, my best friend, greatest dad, and funniest person I have ever met.

He had a larger than life presence. You knew when he was in a room. He had a knack of making people feel special and loved (he gave the best hugs). There was no stranger he wouldn’t stop and talk to. His jokes, well, they were something else. I think he found them funnier, but you couldn’t help laughing because his laugh was so contagious. He was the ‘la vie de la fête’.

Norm, words cannot express the shock and utter devastating grief we all feel from you sudden passing.

We love and miss you so much.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to the Casper Police, Fire-EMS department and Bustard and Jacoby Funeral Home for their compassionate care of Norm.

A celebration of Norm’s life will be held at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 1:00pm.

A private family interment will be held at a later date.