Iconic BC Lion Norm Fieldgate Passes Away at the Age of 88

For Immediate Release
March 7, 2020

VANCOUVER, BC – The BC Sports Hall of Fame mourns the passing of two-time Honoured Member Norm Fieldgate of North Vancouver, BC – one of the most iconic personalities in British Columbia sport history, who died Friday at the age of 88.
The outstanding Canadian football player and popular team executive will be forever associated with the orange-and-black of the BC Lions. His #75 was retired by the CFL club to honour his outstanding contributions over 14 seasons as a player, just part of his more than five decades with the Lions.

An original member of the Lions in 1954, he was a key member of the CFL team’s historic first Grey Cup championship in 1964. Affectionately known as “Mouse” despite his towering frame and reputation as a hard-nosed defensive end and linebacker, Fieldgate was a four-time All-Star – CFL All-Star in 1963 and CFL West All-Star in 1959, 1960 and 1963. He was a six-time team nominee as outstanding Canadian and then maintained his love for the Leos after his retirement in 1967, as a long-standing member of the team’s Board of Directors – including serving as team president in 1989.

Fieldgate was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame as an individual player in the Class of 1970 and then again as a member of the 1964 Grey Cup champions (Class of 1986). He joined the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1979. He is a member of the BC Lions Ring of Honour and the BC Football Hall of Fame and was voted a member of the BC Lions 50th Season All-Time Dream Team in 2003.

Fieldgate also served as a BC Sports Hall of Fame Trustee for many years in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. He was a Selection Committee member from 1996 to 2001, serving as the committee’s chair the final two years. Fieldgate worked closely with former BC Sports Hall of Fame Chair Jack Farley on the relocation and construction of a new Sports Hall at BC Place and was one of the ‘Finish Line Members’ who each donated $100,000 to complete the project in 1995. He was also the anonymous donor of the Jack Farley Scholarship for many years.

Norm Fieldgate is survived by his loving wife Doreen and their three daughters, Carey, Lesley and Janine. His extended family includes Carey’s husband and Norm’s son-in-law Dann Konkin, who is a former Chair of the BC Sports Hall of Fame and long-time community supporter, along with countless friends, former teammates, colleagues and customers of his auto parts business that will never forget his smile, his heart and his consideration for others. He was a true gentleman, and passionate advocate for football in particular and sport in general.

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Media Contact
Shona Wercholuk
LBMG
604-805-4821
swercholuk@lbmg.ca

IN TRIBUTE – NORM FIELDGATE
HONOURED MEMBER, BC SPORTS HALL OF FAME

Inducted Athlete/Football (Class of 1970).
Inducted Team Member, 1964 BC Lions Football (Class of 1986).
Born January 12, 1932. Died March 6, 2020.

“The BC Sports Hall of Fame – and the football and sport communities in British Columbia – are richer because of the outstanding community legacy that will be forever associated with Norm Fieldgate; from the orange-and-black of the BC Lions to the breadth of his contributions as an advocate of sport.”
Tom Mayenknecht, Chair, BC Sports Hall of Fame

“This is a very sad loss for the sport community in British Columbia. Norm will always be remembered as such a unique combination of athlete, community leader and philanthropist. Very kind. Very wise.”
Bill Maclagan, Chair, BC Sports Hall of Fame Foundation

“Norm was an incredible man, kind and giving in so many ways. He was a great athlete and an ardent supporter of sport, on the strength of his time, mentorship and financial support.”
Anna Nyarady, Chair, Council of Chairs, BC Sports Hall of Fame

“Norm is not only a two-time inductee of the BC Sports Hall of Fame, he is truly one of the most iconic and beloved personalities in British Columbia sport history. He left an indelible mark.”
Nicholas Cartmell, Chief Executive Officer, BC Sports Hall of Fame

“Norm also had a long-standing special relationship with the BC Sports Hall of Fame that went beyond his Honoured Member status, serving as a Trustee for many years in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s and as a Selection Committee member from 1996 to 2001, serving as the committee’s chair the final two years. He will be greatly missed by many.”
Jason Beck, Curator & Facility Director, BC Sports Hall of Fame

“Norm was one of the best people I have ever known. His kind-heartedness knew no bounds. The same can be said for the scope of his impact on the game of football.”
Scott Ackles, Chair, BC Football Hall of Fame and Co-Chair, BC Council of Sports Halls