November 22, 1952 – November 23, 2020
Norral was born on November 22nd, 1952 in the Parish of St. Andrew’s, Grenada, West Indies to Theresa Nollie Swan and Gordon DeGale.
He attended Belair Government School. Upon graduation, he worked as an apprentice Surveyor with the Canada Wimpey Company stationed in Grenada. Shortly, thereafter, he joined the Royal Grenada Police Force wherein he served as a Police Officer for about 7 years before migrating to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
While living in Grenada, Norral became the father of his first twin daughters with their mom Gwen – beautiful Bellana and (Bellann) who subsequently died at the early age of 19. Norral was first married to Helen with whom he had three wonderful children Norella, Noralyn and Norlen. He was a great father to his children, taking time to prepare meals, comb their hair and make sure they were always neat and clean. He took much pride in himself and tried to pass that on to his children. Although they lived in different cities as adults, he always took time to call them and expressed his love to them. He especially cherished his wonderful relationship with Bellana who lived in Grenada.
Growing up in Grenada, Norral was always a happy, charming and humorous individual. He was extremely well-liked by his family and friends, and especially his colleagues in the Police Force. He was a vital and vigilant Police Officer who surely left his mark.
Norral migrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1985 where he met and married his beautiful wife Debbie and became step-father to her three wonderful children Billie-Jo, Lisa and Christopher. He and Debbie were married for 30 wonderful and fulfilling years until her sudden passing in 2018.
Norral was employed in various capacities including his 5 year stint at the Arctic. He was last employed with MacDon Industries, Winnipeg, Manitoba for over 15 years and retired from said employment in July 2019.
Norral was a strong, smart, multi-talented and independent individual who was always well-groomed and took pride in his appearance. He was an avid sports fan and a team player who served and mentored many of the younger folks both in Grenada and Winnipeg. Some of his greatest memories are of kicking around the soccer ball with his grandsons and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed cricket, soccer, and football and spent many hours watching and commenting on his favorite teams. Christmas was his favorite holiday. He loved cooking and decorating the Christmas tree in preparation for his family whom he loved tremendously, especially his wife and children and his beloved Catty (his cat). He never stopped talking about them. He ended every conversation with the words “I love you”. Traveling with his wife Debbie was also a favorite pass time.
Having grown up in church as a Seventh Day Adventist, Norral knew that God was his source of strength. He rededicated his life to the Lord in December 2019 during our last visit. Throughout his recent illness, Norral remained strong and resilient, but unfortunately succumbed to death as a result of contracting COVID19 while a patient at the hospital.
He is survived by his seven children: Bellana, Norella, Noralyn, Norlen, Billie-Jo, Lisa Christopher (Shelly); grand-children Radyance, Sapphire, Christopher, Jayden, Kenny, Shane, Ryan, Christopher; great grandchildren Daniella and Keagan as well as Catty. He also leaves to mourn his sisters and brothers: Nola, Doreen, Laura, Ronald, Molly, Marlene, Roma, Waldron, Steadman his dear cousin, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins (too numerous to mention) and extended families here in Canada, United States, England, Grenada and Trinidad as well as many wonderful and devoted friends.
Cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be planned for a spring 2021 date when family and friends can gather.
Norral, we love you and will forever miss you. May your soul rest in peace until we meet again.
9 thoughts on “Norral DeGale”
Our sincere condolences to the family of Norral. We knew both him and Debbie when they had a campsite at our park Wildwood Tourist Resort, in Winnipeg Beach.
Gary and Carol Hainsworth
DeGale so happy we talked before you had to leave, Love ya and will miss you. <3
Uncle Norral you are missed, your work on earth is done. You and Auntie Dorah keep an eye out for the rest off us down here. Love you may your soul rest in peace. Love Nephew Neal.
Uncle Norral Mommy (Doreen) and I (Jeanelle) Love and miss you. You will not be forgotten ans you live on in our hearts. ♥️🙏🏾
On behalf of the Swan family in Grenada, Upper St. John, St. Andrew’s to be exact. To the family and friends of Narold Degale, especially NOLA, please accept our condolences during this difficult times. May God continue to bless every member of his family is my prayer. Amen.❤🙏🇬🇩.
To my dear sister Noreen,
My sincere condolences and my prayers goes to you and all of your family. I just can’t imagine the heartache at this time that you have of not being there for your brother. But know this God was there with him. And love has no boundaries.
May the God of all Comforts, comfort your heart and give you the strength to go on. Grace and peace be with you.
My dear brother Norral.
I know that this Last year had been a long and difficult one for you. But God gave you the strength and resilience to press through until he decided it was time to call you home. Whatever pain and suffering you were going through is over. I will miss our daily calls and your stubbornness. I had hoped to see you more often and spend some more time with you, but God has a master plan and its not ours. I know you’re resting peacefully with Debbie, Dorah and Mommy Nollie and that’s enough for me. The lord giveth and he taketh away and am at peace with that. Our family will continue to be supportive of your children as best we could. I know how proud you were of them. We love you and miss you. May your soul rest in peace. Your sister Nola ❤💔
Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. NOLA, I hope you and all the family will feel comforted at this time, knowing that God is the one who is in control of everything. There is a time and season for everything, and sadly Norral’s time has come. Like you said, he died peacefully, than God. When one suffers it makes it more difficult, and painful. You all have been in my prayers. May his soul RIP.
Degale ( Dawdy),
You were kind of a surprise when you first entered our family just over 30 yrs ago. But you loved to sing, dance, laugh. Perfect fit!
It may have taken a while but to know how warm, kind, caring, and protective you are meant so much to us as your family. Not just us, but also our children (your grandchildren). The time, care, attention you gave them was as much reward to you as them. I’ll never again look at a soccer ball without thinking of you out there kicking it around with the grandsons.
As difficult as it is to let you go, I truly hope you find our Mom in heaven. I know how badly it hurt you when she left, so my greatest hope is you reunite now.
I wish you peace, comfort, know that you were surrounded in love.