June 11, 2010
Harvey, Norman P.
Norman P. Harvey, a resident of Readville for the past 20 years, and formerly of Lexington, died Friday, June 11, 2010 at the Mass General Hospital in Boston after a brief illness. He was 77. Norman was born July 30, 1932 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, one of the five children of Horace and Helen (Fougere) Harvey. After high school he joined the US Army and served for two years during the Korean War. Norman worked as a carpenter for Manzelli and Fusco Construction Company until it closed when its owner retired. He then joined with his longtime friend Victor Sergi and they started H & S Construction where he worked until his retirement in 1998. It was stated that Norman was a gentle man, even with a sledgehammer! Norman was the husband of the late Marlene (Wentworth) and the brother of the late Edna Gagnon, Irene Kelley, and Harris Columbus “Sonny” Harvey. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, June (Neas); his two sons, Daniel P. Harvey, and his wife Donna, of Marlborough, and Thomas Harvey, and his wife Ann, of Charlotte, North Carolina; his daughter, Sandra Trainor, and her husband David, of Ocala, Florida; his brother, Maurice “Mo” Harvey of Burlington; his 8 grandchildren, Amanda, Andrew, Austin, Joseph, Theresa, Lydia, and Dayna Harvey, and Alexandra Trainor; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. He also leaves his longtime friend Victor Sergi of Billerica. Visiting hours will be held Monday from 4 to 8 PM at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton Street, Dedham. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Folsom Funeral Home, Tuesday at 8 AM to proceed to St. Anne’s Church, 82 West Milton Street, Readville for his Mass of Christian Burial at 9 o clock. Burial will be in Westview Cemetery in Lexington. In lieu of flowers donations to Old Colony Hospice, One Credit Union Way, Randolph, Massachusetts, 02368 would be appreciated.
Comments(29)
The lifesource that was my Uncle Norman will churn inside of me for the rest of my days.To have known and been touched by this great,yet simple man is everlasting.Although we’ll no longer be able to see his warm smile or even shake his hand,the memories and the very light of love and hope he gave us all will burn forever in our hearts.Thanks for all the smiles and memories.I love you!
Your nephew,
Rick
I have been privilegd to know Norm. He was one of the kindest guys I have ever known. A very devoted family man who would do anything for anyone.
He will be sadly missed we know that he is at peace now.
God Bless Him
He will always have a place in my heart. Love
Norm came into our lves 23 years ago when he met my sister and we loved him from the beginning. June and Norm stopped every Saturday morning for coffee and those visits will be missed, as will Norm behind the camera at every event that happened.
There are not enough words to express our love for him.
To June and Norm’s large family, our deepest sympathy on the loss of so sweet a man.
Love, Connie & Lou
To all the Harvey’s Family.
My heart is with you all.
Sympathies.
Love ……France
Dear Aunt June, Sandy, Tom, and Danny
Your husband/dad was a gift to us all. His simple example of how to live a full life we always inspire me. His wit and sense of humor was a proud example for all us Harvey’s. I know his passing will be tough…but we take comfort in the fact Heaven just got a lot funnier. Rest well Uncle Norm we will see you soon.
Love your nephew,
Christopher
I was about 7 before I realized that Norman was not my big brother. He was my Mom’s (Irene) brother. He and Sonny and Mo set a good example for me and made life fun! Although I am miles away in Florida, Norman was always in my thoughts and will be missed. He carried me in his arms when I was small, and I will carry him in my heart forever!
Your Neice
Elena
I will always remember Saturday night card nights with Uncle Norman, Aunty Marlene, Uncle Everett, Aunty Peggy and the whole gang. I would be in the other room, staying up WAY past my bedtime, watching Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and even a little bit of Saturday Night Live, while the grown ups sang along to the oldies, laughed and trash-talked each other to tears.
I know I speak for my whole family when I say how much Norman touched all of our lives. For my father, Norman has not only been a friend, but a brother. My sisters and I have always considered him to be “Uncle Norman”, and even though the years have taken everyone their separate ways, he is still very much Uncle Norman to me.
With love and sympathy to June and the entire Harvey family.
Stacy Macdonald
My dearest cousin June…
Both Jackie and I feel a great sense of loss after hearing from you of Norman’s passing.
We want to let you know that you have our deepest sympathy, and our heart(s) are truly saddened.
Norman was more than just a wonderful man; he was so kind and considerate and we felt so welcomed by the both of you during our visit in 2005.
We know that Norman’s passing will not only leave a void in your life, but also in our hearts as well.
Norman will always remain in our hearts with fondest memories. June, we have included you in our daily prayers for over the last couple of months and that God will give you strength.
To the rest of the family, we had the honor and the pleasure of meeting your father, brother or friend and we had the greatest respect for him. We will miss his presence along with his very generous nature and terrific sense of humor.
If there is anything that we can do to help you in any way, please do not hesitate to call us at anytime day or night. You can phone either of us at anytime you wish to talk.
Our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
With our deepest love and sympathy,
Cousin Jim and Jackie Hufnagle
I have the special good fortune to call Norman Harvey my uncle and my Godfather. Uncle Norman, with his understated wit, taught me to find the humor in what life brings our way.
Remaining ever kind and gentle, Norman could manage to come up with a clever one-liner or wickedly funny observation that never insulted but always made me laugh. I always found it so touching that Uncle Norman, the funny man, could turn on a dime to become Uncle Norman the (momentarily) serious and concerned man. Of course, once he expressed these sentiments and made that serious connection, he would quickly return to
his unique observations of life! I love the photo displayed above because when I look at it, in my head, I hear his throaty chuckle and can imagine him wiping away yet another tear from laughing so darned hard. All my love, Your Niece Karen
Dear June and Family,
We were so grateful when God brought Norm into your life 23 years ago and we have been honored to have known him.
We are all mourning with you at his loss and pray God will keep you all strong during this time.
Love,
Joe and Gerry Burns
Norm was such a quiet, in the background kind of man, a deeply caring person. The world would be so much better a place if there were more people like him, not one less. Everyone who knew Norm will miss him. Deepest sympathies go to June and those loved by Norm.
Dear Auntie June and cousins Dan, Tom and Sandy. There are no words to express my emotions over the passing of such a sincerely warm human being. First, I feel sadness for losing such a wonderful Uncle and yet I also feel such appreciation for having known someone so uniquely funny, warm and truly full of life. Uncle Norman was one of a kind. All of us cousins have Uncle Norman stories to share; all starting with the phrase… “Remember the time when Uncle Norman…” and you can all fill in the blanks with hundreds of stories. In some ways, we all got a little funnier just for having known him. I will always remember the home movies which were more like Abbot and Costello routines. And they were miles apart from any other family’s ordinary slideshows of their trips to the Europe or the Grand Canyon. In Norman’s movies, all of us kids were the cast members, and Uncle Norman was the genius behind the camera; producer, director, stage hand all wrapped up in one. He loved us and it showed in everything he did for us and with us. To this day I cannot walk down a windy beach without thinking about Uncle Norman’s video of all of us kids rolling down the beach at Lake Shore Park that windy morning. We will all miss him dearly, but we will all be together again someday making many more movies in heaven. I love you Uncle Norman! I’m so proud to have known you. Heaven is truly blessed to have you as their director/producer/ stagehand, and all around great guy! ‘Til we meet again, you will forever be in my heart. Like the song says… “I’ll be seeing you in all the old familiar places.”
All my love, Diane
As a child I thought my Uncle Norman was the funniest man alive. He would make faces ( like his Stan Lauren immitation) tell jokes, even take the occasion pratt fall. But his claim to fame was the Fred Flinstone award for successfully recording all family nonsense on 8mm home movies. And Norman didn’t just turn on the camera, he was director of the greatest mini movies ever made. He could get all us kids to do the craziest stunts no matter how embarrasing. We each have a memory that is dear to us of some event that Uncle Norman instigated or recorded.
I love you Uncle Norman – When I was growing up my Mom was in the hospital a lot with a terminal illness and my sister Lynn and I used to spend summers and school vacations with Uncle Norman’s family…in an instant he’d go from having 3 kids to having 5!……he was so gracious ….I literally can’t remember him ever even raising his voice to us kids……he’d make an ice rink in the back yard during the winter months and in the summer he was the Uncle with the swimming pool……during the day his Daughter Sandy and I would make up dance routines, vaudeville shows, swimming races….ice skating tricks et al and before he could get from the truck to his house after work we’d bombard him with all of these routines and he would graciously applaud and laugh as though he were actually watching a professional show……He knows I love him so much and I agree with my cousin Christopher that Heaven just got a lot funnier with the addition of Uncle Norman.
Uncle Norm was probably the nicest and sweetest guy I have ever known. He was always at every family get-together and always had the camera in his hand recording every moment. The world has lost a great man and he will be forever missed. My deepest sympathies go out to Aunt June and to all who knew and loved Uncle Norm.
Uncle Norm was the most laid back fun guy to hang around with. He always brightened up a room whether it was with his smile or the light on his video camera. He loved all of us, and we all loved him back just as much. When I think of Norman, I think of his recipe for happiness: 4 tablespoons of loving your family, 10 teaspoons of them loving you, and a cup of coffee. My love goes out to all friends and family.
Dear June:
My deepest condolences on the loss of Norman. He was a very nice man and the two of you made a great couple. I hope your memories of Norman will help you through this very difficult time.
-Denise Nelligan
June- My heartfelt Condolences to you and your’s at this difficult time. May you find comfort in knowing that Norman’s memory lives on in all of you.
My best and deepest sympathy.
Marian Concannon.
To the Harvey Family…
Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Please accept our condolences.
Deanna Giles & Family
Dan,
I am sorry to hear of your father’s passing. God bless.
Melinda
Norm’s life was well-lived. What a precious gift. He left a legacy of laughter, kindness and love. His kind and generous spirit was spread on all. He conveyed the warmth and beauty of love.
As he shared the gift of laughter he dried his share of tears. He left his mark on many lucky lives throughout the years. He spread lots of love around. He shed a world of light and in the memories that he left behind his spirit still shines bright.
Norm’s memories won’t fade away. They will live on in our hearts. His wisdom and gentleness touched us all. He treated others with kindness and respect. May we find comfort in remembering someone so very special in our lives.
My mother’s brother Uncle Jeremie (Henry) Giles from Canada wrote:
Jérémie Giles: Dear Brenda–How sad ! Normand was the intriging mind and had quite the outlook on life. We have shared some good moments together laughing at some of the silly things people do——to be seen and heard–Life was his as it was for many of our loved ones. It is still ours to enjoy and dammit ! let’s fill it with love …of people and nature.
I love you Brenda———Please kiss all for me xxxxxxxxxxxx———Willie and Paul have been told about Normand–Sad !!!!
Saturday at 8:16am ·
France is my Mother’s Brother Paul’s wife who lives up in Canada…
4.France Brosseau
June 12th, 2010 | 3:05 pm
To all the Harvey’s Family.
My heart is with you all.
Sympathies.
Love ……France
I remember the first time I met Norman. It was in 1985 in the Chicago O’Hare airport, where I and some other classmates were to meet Norman and Marlene and bring them to the hospital where Tom was recovering from his heartattack. At the gate, we had no idea who we were looking for, but as soon as we saw Norman, we knew he must be Tom’s dad because we both thought he looked so much like Tom. It was an unusual way to meet your boyfriend’s parents for the first time, and I was a little nervous. I can’t remember what Norman said, but it put me right at ease. I liked both Norman and Marlene right away. More amazing was, I think they liked me.
Norman has always made me feel like I was not a daughter-in-law. He never made me feel like his son’s wife. I was always Ann. He always made me feel like family, not like “family-once-removed”. I’m humbled and blessed that he welcomed me so completely.
I also really appreciated his humility. That came out when he knew something I didn’t (often). He had the nicest way of letting you know what you needed to know without humiliating you and making you feel dumb. This made him an excellent teacher, and I have many memories of him explaining to me, Tom and the children things about the video camera, the computer, tools and zillions of other handy things. He definitely was an understated person, rare in this day and age. So many interests, so many talents, so much knowledge, but never flaunting it. He’d just draw from it when he needed it….. to bless you and me.
I will miss him very much (especially the twinkle in his eyes when he thought something you said was funny!)
He was always a joy to be with. And what a grandfather to our children. He sooo loved being a Poppa/Grampy.
Heartfelt prayers for the Harvey, Wentworth and Neas clans and friends of Norman, and a big hug for June.
– Ann Harvey
Our prayers to Norman & his family ,I know he will be missed.Don Batty & Family.
I remember as a very young teen in the 50’s growing up in Hyannis and the young Uncle Norman came for a visit and I was troubled that my gang needed a stronger name than the Hoods. Then mind you this wasn’t inner city southie or even Cambridge,even with reservations he helped me and gave me the name “The Piranha’s” no matter what he was always willing to help, he even helped me put it on my leather jacket. “Fortunately that lifestyle was short lived.
Uncle Norman like his brothers you couldn’t have a better
Uncle, Brother, Father, Cousin or Friend.
I always miss and think of you.
God Bless
Your Nephew Wayne
Since yesterday was the first month’s Anniversary of Norman’s passing, it was a more difficult day for me.
He is sorely missed.
NORMAN, I MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU MORE THAN YESTERDAY, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS TOMORROW.
From all the messages received since Norman’s passing, concerning his kindness, gentleness, caring, compassion, goodwill, humor, and all the other superlatives, I know how lucky I was to have met him some 23+ years ago. It was LOVE at first sight. Then to have the good fortune of becoming his wife 3 years later. Yes, how LUCKY I was and still am to be able to say that our LOVE was as strong on Norman’s last day in the hospital, as it was when we knew that we were meant for each other, especially because of the LOVE that we shared.
Our LOVE was a love that could never be tarnished, no matter what situations we encountered that could well have blemished it. Our LOVE was so strong that it only grew with each new day, and I say THANK YOU to Norman for that. He was my GOLDEN BOY (as I called him since we married in my GOLDEN year.) and his heart was GOLDEN, too.
I only pray that the young couples marrying today will have the kind of LOVE that Norman and I shared (and still do – we’re just in different places – so that LOVE is shared from afar).
Norman made my life SO happy and SO full of joy. I know that he was aware of that, but I just wanted to reinforce that fact again.
There is a big void now in our home, and my heart is broken. However, I know that Norman is enjoying everlasting life in his Heavenly home, seeing God face to face.
And as a portion of the prayer card made up in his memory said:
“My life’s been full, I’ve savored much,
Good friends, good time, a love one’s touch,
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief,
Lift up your heart and share with me,
For God wanted me now – He set me free.”
Author Unknown
Norman, I share with you that God has set you free. Please, just keep a seat ready for me up there.
And, always remember:
I MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU MORE THAN YESTERDAY, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS TOMORROW. Love you “Duke”
June
To the Harvey family,
I am very sorry to hear about Norman (Mr. Harvey to me). It has been years, but I hope everyone is well.
John Hadley
Yesterday Norman and I would have celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary. Needless to say, it was a difficult day for me. However, I am consoled by the fact that Norman is free of any pain he may have experienced, and is enjoying his Heavenly reward of life everlasting.
I send my usual message, Norman:
I MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU MORE THAN YESTERDAY, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS TOMORROW.
With each new day I realize more and more how fortunate I was to have met and married Norman, the “love of my life” -and we shared that great love for 20 years. That love never waivered, but only grew stronger.
Now, with the huge void in our family that Norman’s sudden passing has left, I gain strength to move forward in this new chapter in my life by remembering those 20 happiest years of my life that I spent with my best friend and husband, Norman. By my emulating the unconditional love, caring and compassion that he showered on me and others, my love for him will never diminish. By remembering him as such, my gratitude to him for those wonderful years will be unending.
Peace and God’s blessings on all.