Norm Daykin, the dad of Maple Ridge’s current mayor, spent his final days, weeks and months exactly where he wanted to, in his home on York Street, where he had lived since 1966.
“That was one of his goals. He wanted to be at home as long as he could. So he won that one,” Mayor Ernie Daykin said Tuesday.
“My dad was a real easy-going guy. Always had a smile on his face. Everywhere I went, everybody said, ‘How’s your dad?’ “
Norm, 83, died in Ridge Meadows Hospital on Monday, after a lifetime in the dairy industry. He married his wife June in Edmonton in 1950, then settled on the family farm in Maple Ridge, raising chickens and milking cows until 1956. After that, he worked as a milk tester for the Ministry of Agriculture and the Dairy Herd Improvement Association.
Towards the end of his career, he worked in the lab in Burnaby and Victoria.
In addition to his work in the dairy industry, Norm was extensively involved in Burnett Fellowship Baptist Church in Maple Ridge.
He served on the board of deacons, as did his father, either as a member of the board or treasurer for 40 years.
He also served as an usher, greeter, gardener or general handyman, as well as a local historical resource, often speaking about his early days on the family farm.
“Norm was known for his ready smile and infections laugh … well more like a giggle.
“People always felt a wee bit happier with the day after Norm went his way,” says his obituary.
“He was also proud of his deep family roots in Maple Ridge. His grandpa Hampton arriving in 1879, and then grandpa Daykin in 1915.
“He was not afraid to share his thoughts on how he felt things were going in town and how elected folks could get a bit better.”