'Normie Kwong was one of a kind': CFL trailblazer and former lieutenant-governor honoured at memorial

Football legend and successful businessman Norman Kwong was a powerful role model to many, Alberta Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell said at an emotional public memorial in Calgary.

Mitchell saidKwong was "always true to himself" and was genuine but, carriedan ever-presenttwinkle in his eye.

Kwongdied Sept. 3 at the age of 86.

Hebecame the first Canadian of Asian heritage to play in the CFL when he joined the Calgary Stampeders in 1948, later going on to become theAlberta's 16th lieutenant-governor.

"I am full of gratitude for having known him, Mary and his beautiful family,"Mitchellsaid, full of emotion at Tuesday afternoon's service.

"Life is about decisions. From that union, all four of their boys then followed in their father's footsteps, and they also made incredible choices."

Kwong was born in 1929, a time when Chinese Canadians were denied the rights of Canadian citizenship, saidAlberta Premier RachelNotley.

But Kwongwasa "man who defined the very best values of that citizenship," shesaid.

"He was of modest height but never let it stop him from taking on the giants of the game," she said of Kwong's CFL career with both Alberta teams.

She thanked the Kwong family "for sharing Norman Kwong with our province."

Family friend and former CFL commissioner DouglasMitchell said Kwong's"legacy is immense and will continue for many years to come."

"He never let any of his trials and tribulations he faced and overcamedefeat him," Douglas Mitchell said.

Kwong's10-year career with the Edmonton Eskimos began in the1950sandhad him rubbing elbows with future Alberta premiers PeterLougheedand DonGetty.

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"Despite Normie's amazing accomplishments, he always maintained his modest ways no matter who he was talking to," Douglas Mitchell said.

"A unique and wonderful person.We are going to miss him, but we have many lasting memories that are going nowhere.You have left a better world for so many."

Former prime minister Stephen Harper said Kwong made "an immense and historic contribution"toCalgary, the province and country.

"The first thing that struck me was that he was not very big,which told me a lot," Harper said, adding thatKwong hadheart, courage and determination and he"took that into a lifetime of achievement."

Harper touched on Kwong's CFL legacy. At the age of 18,Kwongwas also the youngest player to win a Grey Cup.

"It was 62 years before someone did it in the NFL," Harper said.

Goodbye Norman Kwong

8 years ago

Duration 1:06

Remembering CFL pioneer, early Calgary Flames owner and Alberta's 16th lieutenant-governor Norman Kwong.

Former Calgary Stampeders head coach Wally Buono said Kwong had a quiet confidence about him.

"When I got the phone call to speak here, I was quite taken back that you would think that highly of me," Buono said.

"Normie, God bless, was always a good man. He made me feel so proud that he would have that confidence in me. He made you feel at ease. He always had that quiet confidence about him," he said.

"We don't have men like Norman Kwong anymore to live a life like Normie hasis a tremendous legacy."

Jim Peplinski was the captain of the Calgary Flames in 1989 and shared Kwong's birthday of Oct. 24.

"These guys became more than owners to us;they became friends too," Peplinski said of the group that brought the Flames to Calgary.

"Normie had a lot more to do in bringing the Flames to Calgary than most people know. A humbleCanadian who broke barriers that most of us will never understand."

Kwong's son Randy talked of how Norman approached racism.

"Racism was much more prevalent at the time," Randy said.

"He told me it fueled him. He was not advocating violence, but he taught me to rise abovethat.

"I don't think he realizes the impact he made across Canada."

Randy said his father never spoke about his many accomplishments.

"I once asked my dadwhat he thought about having a biography written about him," Randy said.

'Blessed life with no regrets'

"'Nah, who would want to read that?' was Norman's response, his sonexplained.

"For me, he modelled how to treat people."

Another son, Brad Kwong, said his father forged his own path but didn't pressure his sons to follow it.

"He lived a blessed life with no regrets," Brad said.

"Whatever fueled his engine, his success was in that he did it his way. His personality was truly a force of nature. It was a gentle breeze that was not seen but felt," he added.

"It is not hard to see why he was the most popular guy in the room."

Randy added his father liked the word "wonderful."

"Well dad, you are wonderful," Randy said choking up.

"I will miss you dad. So until we meet again, I love you and you are wonderful."

You can shareyour messagesto the Kwong family online or by signing a book of condolences at one of two locations.

In Calgary, you'll find the condolences book at the McDougall Centre, 455 6th St.S.W., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Friday, Sept. 16.

In Edmonton, you can sign the book in the Alberta Legislature rotunda, 10800 97th Ave., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,until Friday, Sept. 16.