Memorable Manitobans: Norman McGregor “Norm” Stewart (1916-1998)

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Norman McGregor Stewart
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Police officer.

Born at Winnipeg on 12 February 1916, one of four sons of Robert H. Stewart (?-?) and Florence Maude McGregor (1890-1985), he attended Lord Selkirk School, St. John's High School, and King's College (Halifax, Nova Scotia).

In November 1937, he joined the Winnipeg Police Department and served for the next 43 years, except for a period during the Second World War when he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy and served aboard the HMCS Lauzon. He returned to Winnipeg and rejoined the police, rising through the ranks until he became Police Chief in 1970. During his tenure as Chief, he organized the amalgamation of the city's police services in 1974, increasing the staff complement from 440 to 921 officers. He retired in February 1981.

On 22 August 1942, he married Gwendoline Elizabeth Frances “Gwen” Sleeman (1915-1981) at Winnipeg and they had a daughter who died in infancy. He was President of the St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg (1969-1970), Canadian Association of Police Chiefs (1977-1978), and Naval Officers Association. Following his retirement, he was President of the local branch of St. John Ambulance, was a security consultant for Assiniboia Downs, and was active in the Kidney Foundation of Canada and Arthritis Society of Manitoba.

In recognition of his community service, he received a Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977) and was inducted into the Order of Canada (1979).

He died at his Winnipeg home on 27 October 1998 and was buried in the St. John's Cathedral Cemetery.

Sources:

Birth registrations [Norman McGregor Stewart, Gwendoline Elizabeth Frances Sleeman], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Marriage registration [Norman McGregor Stewart, Gwendoline Elizabeth Frances Sleeman], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Obituary [Gwendoline Elizabeth Frances Stewart], Winnipeg Free Press, 28 September 1981, page 44.

Obituary [Florence Maude Stewart], Winnipeg Free Press, 15 September 1985, page 21.

“Former chief spent 43 years on force,” Winnipeg Free Press, 29 October 1998, page 4.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 30 October 1998, page 36.

“They are gone, but not forgotten,” Winnipeg Free Press, 31 December 1998, page A4.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 20 October 2023

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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