Obituary of Normand LaFleur

Normand LaFleur, age 87 of Bridgewater, NJ, died peacefully Saturday, October 6, 2012 at the Raritan Health & Extended Care Center in Bridgewater, NJ. He was born in Lawrence, MA, on May 27th, 1925 to Hector and Amanda LaFleur, who had immigrated to the U.S. from Quebec at the turn of the 20th century. The French Canadian culture was very important to Normand and his family and he spoke only French until he was the age of five. He was a Navy Medic who served in World War II. He met his first wife, Rita Mailloux, at a USO dance shortly after the war. After their marriage, Norm studied to become a physical therapist, eventually earning a Master's Degree from NYU and subsequently worked treating veterans at the Lyons VA Hospital in Basking Ridge, NJ for 30 years. After his retirement he served as the superintendent of St. Bernard Cemetery for 15 years. He was a resident of Bridgewater for the last 48 years. He was a communicant of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church in Bridgewater and belonged to the church's folk group choir, the men's club, and young builders club. He was a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the parish council and the Knights of Columbus. Norm was also a member of the hospital ministry, Our Lady of Lourdes prayer group and the Elks Club. Normand had a beautiful tenor voice and sang professionally in many venues. He was especially loved for his rendition of Ave Maria, which he sang frequently at weddings and funerals. He enjoyed singing duets with his wife Cathy and their love of music was something they shared. He was extremely active and played tennis and bowled weekly, falling just shy of a 300 game on many occasions. His family remembers his competitive nature and love of games. He was lovingly referred to by his grandchildren as "Pepere," and many evenings were spent at the LaFleur house playing cards and board games. Norm was predeceased by his first wife, Rita, his daughter, Denise Szurick and his grandson, Robert LaFleur. He is survived by his devoted wife of 20 years Catherine LaFleur, his daughter, Paulette Lehrer Bobrow and her husband, Sam of Woodbridge, CT, his sons; Paul and his wife, Laura LaFleur of Charlotte, NC, Steven of Maui, Hawaii and Mark and his wife, Carol Ann LaFleur of Whitehouse Station, as well as his son-in-law, Peter Szurick of North Plainfield, NJ. He is also survived by his sister, Janice LaFleur of Methuen, MA, 13 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and 2 stepsons: Drew and Paul Wheeler. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Normand's honor to St. Bernard of Clarirvaux Church, Bridgewater, NJ the Lyons VA Hospital, Lyons, NJ or the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP) of Somerville, NJ.