–Consul General Sawh lauds late Guyanese’s contribution

TORONTO, Canada – Fresh memories were evoked at the Rembrandt Banquet Hall here on Sunday when close family members, friends, customers and special invitees paid tribute to Norman Augustus Sue, the late Guyanese businessman who passed away one year ago after a prolonged illness.

Having served the Scarborough community with distinction for several years under the Norman Sue Bakery banner, the late Sue was remembered as a fond and loving husband, father, grand-father,

giver and teacher among other glowing accolades.
Among the hundreds attending the impressive Appreciation and Tribute to the stalwart Guyanese, who migrated here in 1971 and made a name for himself and family in the baking industry, was Guyana’s Consul General to Toronto, Sattie Sawh, who lauded the outstanding contribution Sue made to the community.
According to Sawh, the late Sue had left an undeniable and wonderful mark “on all of us and this to me is symbolic and significant of the wonderfully positive, bright and friendly demeanour of Norman Sue. He was a friend and a supporter to many; and as we look back on his time with us, we feel the warm and pleasant nature of his presence here today.”
Sawh pointed out that it was always difficult to address gatherings of such nature as they usually evoke feelings of sadness, “while there is a natural tinge of difficulty as we are also here to cherish, celebrate and memorialise.”
Reminding the audience that the late Sue “was a man who left quite an impression on his family and friends and on the community at large,” the Consul General said his name was synonymous with many positives and worthwhile community initiatives from the delicious Guyanese treats that his bakery provided to the many laudable causes that he and his family have supported.
Sawh echoed the view that “In our community in Toronto, his name is exceptionally well known and respected and the goodwill that he has shown has brought an undeniable sense of popularity to the Norman Sue name.”
Reflecting, Sawh mentioned that she had personally worked with Sue and his wider family for a number of years. “I count it as a personal and special relationship that we share and I am truly thankful to share their friendship and support for the community. I know that his wife and children are tremendously strong and positive people and I am proud that they have always shown great resilience and courage in the face of challenges.”
Observing that while the Guyanese community in Toronto is much poorer for the loss of a great man like Norman, “In our midst, we celebrate the fact that he did so much for so many and that his legacy will continue to live on through his business and his family’s community spirit.”
Eldest daughter Kim, who along with sister Natasha now head the business, remembered her father as a man who touched many lives, cared less about material things and one’s colour or religion didn’t matter to him.
Kim opined that her father had re-defined the words humility and forgiveness and was responsible for touching many lives. Speaking briefly on his humble beginnings in Guyana, she said she was proud to be one of his five children and her mother Lynette, who hails from The Pomeroon, was also a tower of strength before and after the passing of her dad.
Natasha described her late father as an honest and simple man who never wanted recognition and his satisfaction was being able to help the less fortunate. She reasoned that his rewards were evident in the attendance at the Thanksgiving Day ceremony.
Intimating that her father wasn’t a Christian but “was God-sent, Natasha declared that “I am sure that some of you here today can attest to that. He offered employment when no one else would; he offered a place to rest your head when you were tired; he gave his last dollar when you were broke or a glass of water when you were thirsty.”
Natasha alluded to the fact that, “Not only has their business become a legacy, but so has the name Norman Sue. “It’s not only a name. it’s a home, it’s a community, it’s not only Guyanese, not only West Indian, it’s international.”
An emotional Nadia, the youngest daughter, described how her dad took a piece of her heart with him, but she was nevertheless grateful for the experience and for having “such a wonderful daddy.”
Norman jnr, the only son of five siblings, and who also served as the Master of Ceremonies, said he remembered his father for being a very jovial individual and he’s glad to be classified by persons for being of the same ilk as him.
The ceremony was interspersed by renditions from popular musicians Martin Grimmond and Victor Shim, while the late Sue grand-daughter Nyssa also shone while performing a solo on her trumpet.
Among those in attendance were members of the Guyana Ex-police Association of Canada (GEPAC); Ontario Softball Cricket Association (OSCL); Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA); and Scarborough Cricket Umpires Association.
The late Sue lived in Georgetown and Linden, Upper Demerara, before migrating to Canada in 1971.