Laconia-Norman J. Hebert, 92, of 183 Winter Street died Monday evening, May 12, 2008 at Lakes Region General Hospital after a period of declining health.
Norman was born in Madawaska, Maine on September 12, 1915, he was the second son of five children born to the late Luc and Adeline (Cyr) Hebert.
Norman attended St. Basil’s in New Brunswick, Canada, a private, all-male elementary school. He graduated from Montreal College in 1937 with a Bachelors Degree in physics and mathematics. He was employed by Pratt & Whitney in Hartford, Connecticut as an engine inspector when he enlisted in the United States Army in 1942. Within four months he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, continuing his role as an inspector as well as a French instructor to outgoing servicemen.
While in Connecticut, he was introduced to Yvonne Hamel of Laconia, New Hampshire, where he would eventually live the rest of his life. He was employed at Cantin Chevrolet as an automobile mechanic until such time as he was able to become a U.S. rural route postal carrier stationed at the Laconia Post office retiring in 1980.
His senior years were brimming with activity; tending to his vegetable and flower gardens from seed, and enjoying a locally-known tennis racquet stringing hobby. His equipment would eventually find its way into the prestigious Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. But, his true passion became woodworking which tapped into the core of his creativity and engineering skills, bringing forth many cherished furniture pieces. Norman was a faithful communicant of Sacred Heart Church.
Norman was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Yvonne T. Hebert in 2005, one daughter, Yvette in 1958, and his four siblings.
Norman is survived by one daughter, Claire Hebert of Laconia, one son, Daniel Hebert and his wife Donna of Hillsboro, four grandchildren, Ryan and Sarah Hunter, and Amanda and Melissa Hebert, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Thursday, May 15, 2008 at Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue Laconia at 12:00 p.m. Rev. Adrien R. Longchamps pastor of the church celebrated the mass. Burial with military honors followed in the family lot at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street, Laconia. A period of visitation preceded the mass from 10:30-11:45 am at the Simoneau-Paquette Memorial, 139 Church Street, Laconia.
For those who wish, the family suggests expressions of sympathy in Norman’s name may be made to the St. Francis Activity Fund, 406 Court Street, Laconia, NH 03246.