In memory of
Norman "Bud" Purves
July 27, 1949 - August 11, 2025
Norman “Bud” Purves died peacefully August 11, 2025 at age 76 after quietly enduring 13 years of treatment for prostate cancer.
Much beloved husband of Janet Palmer, father of Thomas Purves (Michele Perras) and Arianne Purves Mitchell (Scott) and dearest Grandpa to Bryce and Heather Purves-Mitchell and Evelyn Purves. Greatly missed by brother Rob Purves (Donna), niece Jennifer Purves and Chris Hermann, Bill and Grace Cooper to whom he was a great uncle. Sorely missed by many friends in Muskoka and Toronto at the Granite, Rosedale Golf and Muskoka Lakes Golf Clubs. Predeceased by his parents Robert and Betty Purves.
Always a superior athlete, Bud taught sailing, played hockey at York Mills and Colgate University in the US. A competitive tennis player, squash enthusiast, and fine golfer, he later took up marathon running completing more than 25 Marathons across North America as well as countless half marathons and 10Ks with his very close friends in the Granite Club running crew.
In his business career he worked in real estate development and took pride in building new communities across North America. A dedicated community leader he served 7 years as Board Chair of Toronto Community Housing, 10 years on the Board of CAMH and 2 years as Chair of the CAMH Hospital Board.
Bud helped many medical, arts, and other institutions realize significant value from their real estate assets including the Four Seasons Centre, University Health Networks, Toronto Railway Lands, Ontario Realty Corp and York University. His career included working at CN Rail, Trizec Hahn, President of the CN Tower, President of York U. Development Corp and CEO of the Sorbara Group.
Bud earned his pilot’s license at age 16 — the start of a lifelong passion. Flying became a huge part of his life with summers spent as a floatplane bush pilot operating out of Red Lake, Ontario and a flying instructor out of Sudbury. Bud owned several airplanes during his lifetime - piloting his own plane twice to the Arctic and flying often throughout North America. Later he shared his love of flying and cottaging on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka with his children and beloved grandchildren. Flying to the cottage on a Friday afternoon was a special, even sacred ritual as the family eagerly awaited his arrival and safe landing in the Bay. We will all miss him terribly, but he will continue to inspire us to be better people and fly on in our hearts forever. May he always “follow the sun” and lead us home.
The family wishes to thank the dedicated doctors and medical professionals, including Doctors Zlotta, Bristowe, Berlin, and Fallah-Rad, who managed Bud’s illness over many years allowing him precious time with his family. Special thanks to the staff of the GU Clinic, the Blood Services group, and the Palliative Care Unit at Princess Margaret Hospital.
A visitation will be held at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, from 11:00am to 1:30pm. The funeral centre address is 375 Mount Pleasant Rd, Toronto, M4T 2V8. Entering through the East gates, follow signs for Funeral Centre. For a detailed map of the cemetery, click Media > Documents at the top of this page.
Much beloved husband of Janet Palmer, father of Thomas Purves (Michele Perras) and Arianne Purves Mitchell (Scott) and dearest Grandpa to Bryce and Heather Purves-Mitchell and Evelyn Purves. Greatly missed by brother Rob Purves (Donna), niece Jennifer Purves and Chris Hermann, Bill and Grace Cooper to whom he was a great uncle. Sorely missed by many friends in Muskoka and Toronto at the Granite, Rosedale Golf and Muskoka Lakes Golf Clubs. Predeceased by his parents Robert and Betty Purves.
Always a superior athlete, Bud taught sailing, played hockey at York Mills and Colgate University in the US. A competitive tennis player, squash enthusiast, and fine golfer, he later took up marathon running completing more than 25 Marathons across North America as well as countless half marathons and 10Ks with his very close friends in the Granite Club running crew.
In his business career he worked in real estate development and took pride in building new communities across North America. A dedicated community leader he served 7 years as Board Chair of Toronto Community Housing, 10 years on the Board of CAMH and 2 years as Chair of the CAMH Hospital Board.
Bud helped many medical, arts, and other institutions realize significant value from their real estate assets including the Four Seasons Centre, University Health Networks, Toronto Railway Lands, Ontario Realty Corp and York University. His career included working at CN Rail, Trizec Hahn, President of the CN Tower, President of York U. Development Corp and CEO of the Sorbara Group.
Bud earned his pilot’s license at age 16 — the start of a lifelong passion. Flying became a huge part of his life with summers spent as a floatplane bush pilot operating out of Red Lake, Ontario and a flying instructor out of Sudbury. Bud owned several airplanes during his lifetime - piloting his own plane twice to the Arctic and flying often throughout North America. Later he shared his love of flying and cottaging on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka with his children and beloved grandchildren. Flying to the cottage on a Friday afternoon was a special, even sacred ritual as the family eagerly awaited his arrival and safe landing in the Bay. We will all miss him terribly, but he will continue to inspire us to be better people and fly on in our hearts forever. May he always “follow the sun” and lead us home.
The family wishes to thank the dedicated doctors and medical professionals, including Doctors Zlotta, Bristowe, Berlin, and Fallah-Rad, who managed Bud’s illness over many years allowing him precious time with his family. Special thanks to the staff of the GU Clinic, the Blood Services group, and the Palliative Care Unit at Princess Margaret Hospital.
A visitation will be held at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, from 11:00am to 1:30pm. The funeral centre address is 375 Mount Pleasant Rd, Toronto, M4T 2V8. Entering through the East gates, follow signs for Funeral Centre. For a detailed map of the cemetery, click Media > Documents at the top of this page.
Funeral Details
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Visitation
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Centres
375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON, CANADA, M4T 2V8
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Wednesday, 20 Aug 2025 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Info: For a detailed map of the cemetery, click Media > Documents at the top of this page.