Norm died peacefully on December 28, 2024, at Birchwood Terrace Rehab and Healthcare in Burlington, Vt., after a brief illness. Known affectionately by his family as Papa, he will be missed tremendously. He loved his family so much and was generous to all. He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was born in 1930 and lived in Winooski, Vt., for most of his life. After earning his degree at Saint Michael’s College, Norm was drafted into the army and was stationed in Korea for most of his service time. After his service, Norm returned to the college and joined the department of applied linguistics, whose focus was to teach English as a second language to students from abroad. Professor emeritus, he spent nearly 40 years as a teacher, administrator and finally director of the department. He was also a longtime chairman of the master’s program in teaching English as a second language. He retired in 1994.
Norman and Elizabeth Daly, the love of his life, met at the college and were married in 1958. They were blessed with two daughters, Ann Regina and Martha. Daughter Ann had a serious illness that required constant care, which mom and dad did without complaint. Ann passed in 1997.
The retirement years for Liz and Norm were filled with the joys of being part of the lives of their daughter Martha, her husband, Steve, and grandsons Christopher and Adam. Many friends near and far enriched their lives.
Norm was predeceased by his parents, Wilfred and Regina (Pellerin) Lacharite; wife, Elizabeth; daughter Ann Regina; brothers-in-law, John Russell, Francis Daly and Charles Daly; and sister-in-law Bernadette (Daly) Meunier.
He is survived by daughter Martha and husband Stephen Roy; grandsons Christopher and his partner, Alison Bushey, and Adam and his wife, Meghan; great-granddaughters Mina and Teddie Rose; great-grandson Rowdy; and sister-in-law Margaret Russell. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends, including special friends Nora O’Neill, Sally Cummings and Kathie Era.
A heartfelt thank-you to the amazing staff and doctors at the University of Vermont Medical Center and Birchwood Rehab, Dr. Melissa Brandes, Nancy Strong NP, and Dr. Joseph Winget for their care and compassion. Remember to keep smiling — that’s what Norm always did.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Francis Xavier School or Our Lady of Providence in Winooski, Vt. A mass of Christian burial to celebrate Norm’s life will be held Monday, January 6, 2025, 11 a.m., at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Winooski. Arrangements are in the care of LaVigne Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To send condolences to his family, please visit vtfuneralhomes.com.
This article appears in Dec 25, 2024 – Jan 7, 2025.