Joe was born and grew up in Marcellus, NY. He graduated from Marcellus Central High School in 1962 and after serving his country in the US Army, he returned to Marcellus and married his childhood sweetheart, Kathleen Collins in 1967. Joe and Kathy had three sons and moved the family to Texas in 1973.
Joe selflessly did everything necessary to provide the happiest home that a family could dream of. Working two and three jobs to make ends meet, he still made time to coach little league baseball and youth basketball. Joe coached each of his sons’ teams along with teams of the other kids in the neighborhood. The Norman home is where the neighborhood kids gathered after school and on weekends.
He put all three of his sons though college. He instilled in them the qualities of hard work, the importance of family and provided for them in the perfect example of what a husband and father should be.
He gathered the family together each week for dinner and everyone looked forward to the holiday celebrations. Joe was always serving others and he would never fix himself a plate until he was sure that everyone had already been served. Seats filled up fast so he would usually have to eat standing at the kitchen counter which was fine by him because he was able to get the dishes washed almost as fast as they came in.
One of his greatest joy’s was the annual Christmas Eve gathering was watching the joy of everyone else as we shared stories and opened presents that included his one of a kind To/From notes.
He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 45 years, Kathleen, his three sons; Michael, John and Tim; three daughters in law Laura, Gillian and Lori; Sister Patricia Dins of Colorado; Brother John Norman of New York and of course his nine grandchildren ranging in age from 18 months to 18 years, who are heartbroken at the loss of their beloved Papa.
A Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 16, 2012 from 7-9 pm at Rhoton Funeral Home in Carrollton, with a Rosary at 8 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at 11am at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Farmers Branch with Reverend Michael Forge officiating.
The family requests in lieu of flowers that a donation be made to: Mary Immaculate School 14032 Dennis Lane, Farmers Branch Texas 75234. Mischool.org/files/pledgecard_sheet.pdf
Please visit www.rhotonfuneralhome.com for an online memorial.
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