Obituary of Joseph Norman "Norm" Ouellette

Joseph Norman "Norm" Ouellette, 89, of Peabody, died Thursday afternoon at the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, NH. He passed peacefully following a brief illness, surrounded by his family. He was the devoted husband of Leola “Lee” (Chassé) Ouellette, with whom he shared over 62 years of marriage. Born in St. Agatha, ME, he was the son of the late Magloire and Elise Ouellette. He was raised and educated in Scarborough, ME and Fort Kent, ME, and was a graduate of Fort Kent High School in the class of 1946. After high school, Norm enlisted with the United States Army and served during the Korean War before he was honorably discharged in 1952. Following his military service, he started working as a machinist for Avco in Wilmington, which later became Textron, and was employed for over 32 years until he retired in 1991. Norm was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, hiking and camping. Later in life he also enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and golfing. First and foremost, he loved his family; Norm was often found helping out in his children’s homes, and the hours spent watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a great joy to him. He loved his home and was happiest there. A man of great faith, he was a kind and caring neighbor, and could be counted on to lend tools and assistance, water gardens, and clear snow from driveways. The family gratefully acknowledges the wonderful neighbors in Peabody who returned the favors to him a hundred times over in later years. During the last year of his life, Norm lived at Watson Fields Assisted Living Facility in Dover, NH. He graciously accepted his new life there and entered into the spirit of the community, enjoying Bingo, musical entertainment, and his Andre Rieu concerts every night. He made many friends there, and the family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff for their excellent care and loving attention to Norm. Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his five children: Gigi Wentzell & husband David of Salem, Norma Bazylinski & husband Paul of South Berwick, ME, Elaine Ouellette of Haverhill, Mark Ouellette & wife Annmarie of Slingerlands, NY, and Janet Broughton & husband Robert of Peabody. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren: Kristin (Wentzell) Dennis & husband Christopher, Erik Mertsch, Scott Wentzell, Colette Bazylinski, Joshua Mertsch, Robert Broughton, Jr. & wife Caitlin, Nicole (Broughton) Brickett & husband Zachary, Katelyn Ouellette DiPaola & husband David, Daniel Mertsch, Timothy Ouellette, Michael Broughton, and Casey Broughton. He was a loving great-grandfather to four beautiful great-grandchildren: Maddy and Jake Dennis, and Bowie and Layne Broughton. He also leaves behind his much loved brother Monty Ouellette & wife Lois of South Windsor, CT and several nieces and nephews. Norm’s wake will be held on Tuesday, September 18th, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, located at 82 Lynn Street, Peabody. His Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 19th, at 11:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church, located at 140 Lynn St, Peabody. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. The burial will take place at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, a long-time favorite charity of Norm and Lee. Norm’s Memorial Fund can be accessed at http://giftfunds.stjude.org/JosephnOuellette.