Norman Leroy Chapman

I am remembering my last visit at Norman Leroy's farm several years ago with my granddaughter Tara.  We enjoyed the visit and the delicious grapes off the vines in the yard.  I have fond memories of my very young years with Norman Leroy, when we played together as children, before our family(parents George & Lucy Snell) moved to Alberta permanently around the late 1930's. 
Your Cousin, Estella Helfer - Donalda, Alberta

I enjoyed the visits and telephone calls with Norman over the years.  He was a connection to our common Chapman ancestors and distant cousins. He was a true historian.  A guided tour of the early John Chapman farm, learning where the first homestead stood, the log barn and where the swimming hole was in the field behind the old schoolhouse.  Looking over bear island and wondering if uncle Dave had hidden any of his legacy under one of those trees down by the stream.  I recall the wasp nest on the kitchen window, the chickens roosting in the trees.   I had once made comment of the fact that the Chapman family was not the first to use the farm.  Norman quiried my assumption but when I pointed out the story told in the stones scattered about the field he confirmed that the first nations people had a  trail which once ran through the farm.  It was nice that he and Joy stopped by to say hello now and again.  He was hoping that I would come by with a ground piercing radar to unlock a couple of the mysteries burried under certain trees. I was too late and those secrets will remain.

Norman was likely the longest milk producer/ member of the Fraser Valley Milk Producers Association.  He had been mentioned as being a contender 25 years ago at a FVMPA annual meeting.

I would call Norm every morning to see how he was and he would ask me how I was. I would tell him I made it through another night and he would say me too.
We talked most every day since Joy died almost 2 years ago. I still find myself calling the house but there is no answer. I really miss our daily talks about the weather, and just little things, like who I met on my morning walk and what I saw. I will miss our dicussions about Christ and the programs that we would watch on Hope Channel and Loma Linda Channel. I look foward to seeing you in heaven. You sister Naomi

I remember summer evenings playing baseball with dad and all the neighbours kids in the field beside the house and everyone piling into the back of the old 49 chev truck and heading over to the 'backwash' swimming hole.
Also all the trips dad would take on Sabbath afternoon going up mountain loggin roads in the car go as far as he dared before he had to turn around and go home for milking time.  Oh and then there was the turning the car around high up on those narrow logging roads.
Dad always told us it was more important to save your money to own land before you spent money on a new vehicle, land always had value vehicle lost value.

Norma and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss.  My sincere prayers are with you and your family.  I am there for you if there is anything you need.  It will be so very grand when we are all reunited with our loved ones when Jesus comes!!!

Much love from your friend and sister in Christ,
Sandra