Known best for possibly the world’s largest “no smoking” sign on his roof, a kind heart and a man with many stories to tell, Norman Wrigglesworth died peacefully, aged 88, last Friday night in his sleep.
One of Richmond most colourful characters, Second World War veteran Wrigglesworth had been in and out of hospital for the last couple of months with various serious health conditions, including pneumonia.
Around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, however, a nurse at Richmond Hospital checked on Wrigglesworth, only to discover he had passed away.
His close friend, John O’Sullivan, said the nurse had checked up on a sleeping Wrigglesworth around 11 p.m.
“She said he opened his eyes and said quietly, ‘I’m ready to go,’” said O’Sullivan, who’s also the executor of Wrigglesworth’s will and estate.
“I took a deep breath when the phone went. I kind of knew what the call might be.
“He was some man and he was always on the go, out on his bike exploring and foraging.”
Richmond News reader Bob Ransford paid tribute to Wrigglesworth on the News' Facebook page, describing him as a "decent soul who demonstrated his understanding of real citizenship."
"He was the quintessential citizen. He practiced citizenship as if it really mattered," wrote Ransford.
"An immigrant to Canada, he worked hard as a carpenter and built a typical suburban life for himself and obviously appreciated that Canada gave him opportunities he never would have had in ... England.
"He gave back to his community. He wasn't just an outspoken critic of the system and ... was a tireless community volunteer and a creative, if somewhat unconventional, activist long before it was fashionable to be one.
"I sat at countless Richmond City Council meetings and listened to Norman storm on, subject after subject, often many in the same appearance. He always respected the decorum and the process.
"May he rest in peace having left us with memories of him that make us smile."
O’Sullivan said his old friend, who is survived by an estranged daughter and grandson, has donated all of his will to charities, including BC Children’s Hospital, the Richmond Hospital Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Institute for the Blind.
Orphaned aged nine in his native England, Wrigglesworth set out to explore the world on his own aged 14, before he joined the British Navy in 1943, aged 17.
According to O’Sullivan, who first met his friend about 25 years ago through Richmond’s many toastmaster clubs, Wrigglesworth served in the Navy as a gunner during the war and up until 1947.
In retirement in Richmond, he lost his wife, Shirley, to cancer in 1997, but continued as a health advocate and champion of the non-smoking movement — including the painting on his roof of the aforementioned giant “no smoking” sign.
In 2012, Wrigglesworth received a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal to go alongside his Second World War medals and in July of last year he was honoured at the auditorium of Richmond Hospital with a special tea after making a significant donation to the hospital.
Along with the thank-you tea, the hospital presented Wrigglesworth with a plaque, honouring him and his wife for all their years of community service and their commitment to Richmond.
O’Sullivan said plans for a service for Wrigglesworth this weekend are still being worked on.
Check Richmond-news.com during the week for details.
