Obituary of Edmund Brownie Norwood

With broken hearts, the family of Edmund (Ned) Brownie Norwood announce his passing, on March 9, 2026, at age 94. He passed away peacefully at home, overlooking his beloved Hubbards Cove, surrounded by the love of his family.  Born in Hubbards on September 8, 1931, Ned was the eldest child of Robert and Ruth (Brownie) Norwood.

Ned is survived by his four children Debbie (Vance) Slauenwhite, Hubbards; Tina Norwood, Hubbards; Stephen (Cindy) Norwood, Stillwater Lake; and Lisa (Wayne) Smith, Hubbards ; grandchildren LeeAnn (Warwick), New Zealand; Erin, Vancouver; Alex, Hubbards; Nathan (Bethany), Cole Harbour; Drew (Tatjana), Halifax; Sean, Calgary; Adam (Juliana), Halifax; Sam, Hubbards and Callum, Halifax; four great-grandchildren, Briem, Quin, Maisie and Esme, and six nieces and nephews.  Ned was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 63 years, Betty (Schwartz), his parents and his siblings, Daniel (Geraldine) Norwood and Margot LeBlanc, as well as his nephew, Philip Norwood.  

As a child, Ned was educated at the old school house on Schwartz’s Road in Hubbards, not only in academics but in getting up to” no good” with his friends. In his late high school years, he began working part-time in his father’s Halifax photography studio on Barrington Street, and therefore finished his schooling at Queen Elizabeth High School, to avoid the commute. Ned joined the Reserve Army in his early 20s as part of the Medical Corp at Camp Borden, Ontario. Based on letters written to our mother, he was drawn home to be with her and they soon became engaged. He then began working at CN Telegraph in Halifax and married Betty on November 13, 1954. Shortly after, Ned began his career at the Nova Scotia Communication and Information Centre, first in the darkroom and then progressing to staff photographer. Mid career, he was mentored by the late filmmaker Margaret Perry, and began his love for making movies. Ned hung from helicopters filming the eagles of Bras D’or, spent many months on Sable Island, filming and photographing the iconic horses and changing sands, made films on Nova Scotia history and folklore with such talents as John Dunsworth and Stan Rogers, and provided film footage to Lenny Gallant for the video of his ECMA winning song, Man of Steel. In 1984, Ned received the plum assignment of sailing in the Tall Ships race from Bermuda to Halifax but due to the fateful storm that sank the Marques and damaged many other ships, there was less filming completed and more focus on reaching safety.  In 1991, Ned was awarded the CBC Pioneer Filmmaker Award at the Nova Scotia Film Festival. In his spare time, he shared his father’s love of photographing everyday scenes around Hubbards and the province. He combined these with his father’s collection to create an extensive library of photos spanning from the 1930s to present day. 

As a young adult, Ned enjoyed coaching local sports teams as well as playing baseball for many years at the old ballfield on Station Road. He was an avid outdoorsman and found much peace and enjoyment in nature with friends Howard Beck and Don Croft. When he could no longer walk through the woods, he enjoyed full days on his deck, watching the activities in the cove and the wildlife that visited his property. His huge love of baseball (Go Blue Jays!) continued throughout his life, and he often could be heard, in his final months, shouting corrections at the TV regarding the umpire’s calls. Sharp of mind until the end, Ned devoured his daily newspaper, writing his commentary on each story in the margins. 

Generous in spirit, Ned was a large financial supporter of nature conservancy organizations as well as many physical and mental health initiatives. In his early retirement years, he and Betty spent hundreds of hours collecting and sorting through photos to document the history of many Hubbards families. He took great pride in this work which is available for all to enjoy at the Hubbards Heritage Society office. His historical knowledge of Hubbards was often accessed by community members, educators and genealogists, and was rivaled only by that of Gary Simms, for whom he held much respect.

The Norwood family would like to thank the community for their outpouring of support, especially from Jerry Cavanaugh, for our dad in his final years. We are extremely grateful for the loving, respectful and joyful care provided by Debbie Malaidack and Danielle Boutilier, through which unbreakable bonds have been formed, and to Elliot Malaidack for his companionship. Special thanks are also extended to Dr. Reza, Kathy and Jolene, for the exceptional care which was always delivered with warmth and genuine kindness. Thank you also to his Northwood team, Janelle, Pauline, Courtney, “Mrs. P”, Tracey and Melissa, and to the Palliative Care Team for their compassionate guidance.

A family graveside service will be held at a later date and a celebration of life, for both Ned and Betty, will be held in August, date forthcoming. To commemorate his life, donations can be made to St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Hubbards.

Ned requested that his final words be those of Robert Frost. 

An honest man here lies at rest, 

As e’er God with His image blest:

The friend of man, the friend of truth;

The friend of age, and guide to youth:

Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,

Few heads with knowledge so inform’d:

If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;

If there is none, he made the best of this.