WEBSTER – Norman J. Deptula, 91, passed away Sunday, November 7, 2021 in UMASS Medical Center in Worcester after a brief illness.
He leaves his wife of 59 years, Margaret (Hostak) Deptula; a nephew, Jeff Leonard; 3 nieces, Jane and Amy Leonard, and Edie McCausland. He was preceded in death by his sister Irene (Deptula) Leonard.
He was born in Clinton on November 8, 1929, the son of Joseph and Helen (Blaszczak) Deptula and moved to Webster in 1934. He graduated from Saint Joseph Parochial School in 1943 and from Bartlett High School in 1947.
Following his graduation from high school, Mr. Deptula enlisted in the United States Army and served with the 581st Signal Radio Relay Company. He participated in five major battles, including the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. He earned the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Korean Service Medal with five battle stars, United Nations Medal for service in Korea, Korean War Service Medal, United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation, South Korean Presidential Unit Citation and Meritorious Unit Commendation. He attained the rank of corporal and was awarded an honorable discharge.
Upon leaving the service, he continued his education and received a bachelor degree from Boston University in 1956 and a master’s degree from Worcester State University in 1959. Norman taught in the Webster school system from 1956 until his retirement in 1990.
He was very active in the local Veteran’s community and held Life Memberships and Educational and Scholarship Chairmanships for forty years in the American Legion, Webster-Dudley Post Number 184, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post Number 654, and the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter Number 53. He was also a member of the “Band of Brothers,” a detachment of members of the Webster-Dudley Veterans Council that provides military honors, a final salute to deceased veterans. In addition Norm was a founding member of the Chosin Few and the secretary/treasurer and newsletter editor of its New England Chapter.
He enjoyed traveling with his wife Margaret and, in addition to being a talented writer, he was an accomplished violinist and a member of Father Pete’s Orchestra. In his spare time, he enjoyed working around his property, splitting wood, raking leaves, mowing the lawn and clearing snow.
Following cremation his burial with full military honors provided by the Webster-Dudley Veteran’s Council will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, November 18 in Saint Anthony’s Cemetery, Worcester Road. Everyone is required to wear a mask. Donations in his memory may be made to the Webster-Dudley Veterans Council, 4 Veterans Way, Webster, MA 01570. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster.