METHUEN – Frank Paul Norman, 95, of Methuen died peacefully in his sleep on December 10, 2011 at Methuen Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Frank was born in Windsor Locks, CT on November 21, 1916, the son of Lewis P. and Josephine (Miller) Norman. During the 1930’s, he was a champion middleweight boxer in Lawrence and Lowell and won the 1938 Golden Gloves championship in Lowell, MA. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1941 – 1945 and saw heavy action in Italy, France and Germany in the Battery D of the 68th Anti-aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star, Good Conduct and American Defense Service Medals.
For many years he was a roofing and siding contractor. He and his wife served as the custodians for Pelham’s Sherburne School. In his later years he also drove a school bus and served as a rural postal carrier. He and his second wife, Ruth J. (Sutcliffe) Charest, married in 1971 and he and his new family moved from Lawrence, MA to Pelham, NH in 1976. He moved to Methuen with his wife in 2000 to live with his stepson David and his wife. He loved playing cards, making puzzles, playing horseshoes and traveling. His strong will and optimistic outlook served him well for almost nine decades he lived by example imparting a strong sense of standing up for oneself and believing in what you say.
He was predeceased by his first wife Viola (Doucette) Norman and two sisters Adeline Biron and Louise Elliott, and two brothers Fred and Charles Norman.
Family members include his wife of 40 years, Ruth J. Norman of Methuen; sister Obeline Biron, age 105, of Lawrence, MA, stepsons, George Charest and his wife Paula of Groveland, MA, David Charest and his wife Nancy of Methuen, MA, Robert Charest and his wife Cindy of Epsom, NH and John Charest of Pelham, NH.
Eight grandchildren Scott Charest, Nancy Nichols, Cheryl Charest, Wendy Charest, Wesley Charest, Amanda Charest, Nicholas Charest and Kaela Charest; six great-grandchildren Rebecca Charest, Nicholas Charest, Olivia Nichols, Tatum Robichaud, George Charest and Lilah Charest.
Several nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
The family would like to offer a special thank you to the staff at Methuen Health and Rehab. for providing comfort to Frank in his final days.
ARRANGEMENTS: In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 311 Arsenal St. Watertown, MA 02472. Family and friends may call on Thursday from 4:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 10:00a.m. in St. Monica’s Church in Methuen, MA. Burial will take place at a later date at the families convenience.