NORMAN Burgess' tight family bond endured throughout his life.
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The 84-year-old died at home where he was loved and cared for by his wife Marie and daughter Sharon.
The family thanks Dr Nuala Hardiman and the palliative care nurses for their care and compassion.
Norm was born in South Australia's Cleve and grew up at the nearby Arno Bay before working on his parents' wheat and sheep farm.
The keen footballer was a volunteer fire fighter and a member of the Agricultural Bureau of South Australia, a non-profit organisation run by farmers for farmers.
Norm met the love of his life, Marie, at the local hotel where he helped out as a barman in his spare time.
Norm and Marie married in 1955, and welcomed their son Peter into the world in 1956, followed by daughter Sharon three years later.
Sadly, Peter died when he was 22.
The couple spent 15 years on the farm and then moved to Adelaide with the children, after which Norm became an interstate truck driver.
Retirement beckoned, and Norm, who was quite the handyman, renovated and painted their home in the Adelaide suburb of Tranmere.
They later took a trip to scout for a new home base to be closer to Sharon in Sydney.
Port Macquarie came up trumps after advice from friends.
The moment Norm and Marie walked into a house for sale at Greenmeadows, they knew it was for them.
Norm enjoyed playing bowls, renovating and the Port Macquarie lifestyle.
After a few years, Norm and Marie downsized to Dahlsford Grove Lifestyle Village where they embraced the community nature of the village.
Marie said Norm was a wonderful and generous husband.
Eight of Norm's close family members gathered at home, to coincide with his cremation, and shared poems and memories.
They planted a tree in his memory and played Norm's favourite Slim Dusty songs, just as he would have liked.
Norm was much loved by his wife Marie, daughter Sharon, son Peter (deceased), son-in-law Tony, and granddaughters Hannah, Lily and Alexandra.