Obituary of Robert William Norman

Robert William Norman, 71, of Peabody and formerly of Beverly, died early Tuesday morning at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers following a long illness. He was the devoted husband of Joan (Robinson) Norman with whom he shared over 48 yeas of marriage. Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Alden and Katherine (Crowley) Norman. He was raised and educated in Beverly and was a graduate of Beverly High School, class of 1956. Upon marrying his wife Joan, he moved to Salem for 5 years, and for the past 43 years, he has lived in Peabody. After high school, he entered the United States military and served with the United States Army and was honorable discharged in January of 1960. After his discharge, he attended Franklyn Institute for 2 years and received a certificate in engineering. He worked for over 30 years as Senior Designer for the General Electric Company in Lynn, before retiring in 1994. After his retirement, he worked additional years as a supervisor of security at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem and as a bus driver for the Land Mark in Beverly, for all of the children’s activities. He was a member of the Vittori Rocci Spear Post in Beverly and enjoyed fishing and traveling, especially in his retirement. He also was an avid sports fan who enjoyed watching all of Boston’s Professional sports teams. What was of most importance to him was his family and the times he shared with them and their endeavors. Besides his loving wife, Robert is survived by two sons, Kenneth Norman and his wife Patricia Wheeler-Norman and Brian and his wife Denise Norman, all of Peabody, two brothers and sisters-in-law, Alden and Wilma Norman of Alton Bay, NH and David and Sandy Norman of Colorado, his four grandchildren which were the joy of his life, Daniel, Maynard, James and Michelle, his two life-long friends, Harold Pettipas of Peabody and Roger Marland of Danvers, and by several nieces and nephews. He was the beloved father of the late Daniel and Michelle Norman and brother of the late Barbara Bassett and Priscilla Kenney. The family also wishes to thank all the nurses and aids at the Kaplan Family Hospice House and staff of the Hospice of the North Shore in Danvers, especially to his nurse, Richard Scuzzarella, Joe DeNapoli and Bea Chipouras Following cremation, a Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday from 8:00 AM until 10:40 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM in St. John’s Church, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial will be in North Beverly Cemetery, Beverly. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.