Mervin Norris’ art is displayed at Pioneers Haven
By Joan Janzen
Mervin Norris has been a lifelong resident in Kerrobert and continues to enjoy a good life at Pioneers Haven. He was born on July 15, 1931, and he and his three sisters all completed their education at Kerrobert school.
At the age of 12, he started helping his dad with painting and carpentry. “At the time, I didn’t think too much about it, but afterwards, I realized I could do the work,” he recalled. “After completing high school, I had a year of tech school in Saskatoon, [which consisted] of drafting and a bit of mechanics and welding.”
Mervin Norris’ art is a labour of love which he can be proud of. The life long resident of Kerrobert enjoys a good life at Pioneers Haven where some of his work is displayed. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
When he returned, he continued painting and carpentry at Norris Decorating. He opened a retail decorating store called Norris Colour Centre. “We put in a Sears order office, and my mother managed the store, and I worked out at jobs,” he said. “That was a long time ago.”
“We had a good close family. I owe my life to my parents. If I’ve done anything in my life, it’s all based on my mom and dad. They were the most wonderful people I’ve ever known,” he said. And the picture of his parents by his bedside is a testament to those words.
“One of the bigger things in my life was the Kinsmen Club; I was very involved,” Mervin said. “We had a very active club for years and years, and I enjoyed the work we did for the community.”
Mervin also travelled a great deal throughout those years, and many of his trips were centred on Kinsmen conventions. He held the title of district secretary for a year and deputy governor of the zone for a year. He enjoyed going on many cruises, bus tours and train trips for many years. “No one trip was a favourite; every trip at the time was my favourite,” he said.
After the Kinsmen Club, he became a member of the K-40s, which was a social club, and every year, they held a free supper and entertainment for the seniors.
After experiencing some medical problems, Mervin retired from work, but he soon began working at a hobby. He bought a scroll saw, set up a bench, ordered some wood and got some patterns. Soon, he was crafting fretwork projects with his scroll saw. He ordered a variety of hardwood from a dealership in the States and began working on different patterns.
“I never went to craft shows or anything. I didn’t sell anything; it was all given away to family and friends,” he explained. One of his beautiful pieces of art is hanging on the wall at Pioneers Haven, and another is displayed at the Kerrobert Courtroom Gallery.
His artwork is a labour of love which he can be proud of. When asked how long a project would take to complete, he said he never kept track of time. But as time continues to go on, Mervin’s art also continues to grace the walls of Pioneers Haven and the Kerrobert Museum.