The late Norm and Helen Humby: “My dad had such amazing ethics; he was a true gentleman and was shamelessly authentic,” says Karen Raimo
It wasn’t until after Norm Humby passed away in September 2024 at the age of 89 that his daughter, Karen Raimo, learned the full extent of his kindness.
“We always knew he was generous,” says Raimo, “but since he passed away, people have shared many examples of his generosity that we didn’t even know about. It has been truly heartwarming.”
Humby, a former member of the HSC Foundation Board of Directors, was always very modest about his giving and his volunteer work. He shunned the limelight, says Raimo, choosing instead to roll up his sleeves and use his considerable business acumen to quietly help the HSC Foundation and other organizations excel.
“Norm had a very high degree of competence and professionalism,” says Lynn Bishop, a long-time friend of Humby and a former Chair of the HSC Foundation Board. “He was a caring and empathetic man who was a strong and passionate advocate for health care.”
One of the ways in which Humby demonstrated his passion was by leaving a gift in his will to the HSC Foundation, thereby becoming a member of the Bannatyne Legacy Circle. He had a special place in his heart for the HSC Foundation and he deeply understood that bequests were vital for sustaining excellence at HSC.
“He cared so much about HSC, the health care system, and about the community,” says Raimo.
“In his last days we asked him what his final wishes were. Among them, he made it clear that he wanted people to support health care.”
Professionally, Humby was a chartered accountant. After a few years in public practice, he became the treasurer and then president at Soo Line Mills. The company was sold to ADM and Humby stayed on as general manager before retiring from full-time work in 1996. In retirement, he became a shareholder in charge of investments and operations at Kanee Investments.
Norm Humby and his late wife Helen had four daughters and three grandchildren. They lived in St. Andrews and enjoyed leisure time in Lac du Bonnet at a cottage that Humby—a talented craftsman—built himself (a property that came to be known as the “Humby Hilton” to family and friends). He also built boats, canoes, and birdhouses, but, above all, he built community, memories, and an exceptional reputation.
“My dad had such amazing ethics; he was a true gentleman and was shamelessly authentic,” says Raimo. “He was humble and modest in everything that he did. He didn’t seek recognition or praise; he simply wanted to have an impact.”
