—January 18, 2014
Vincent Franklin Norman peacefully passed away on the morning of January 13, 2014 while holding the hand of his son Kevin, after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 78 years old.
He was born on September 24,1935 in New York City to Conrad Norman and Kathleen (Nichols) Norman — the fourth of their six children — and grew up in Manhattan and Queens.
In 1953 Vincent graduated from the High School of Music & Art where he majored in Art. He never lost his talent for detailed sketching, and some of his paintings still decorate his home.
He went on to attend City College of New York, following in the footsteps of his father, uncles, and older brother. There he was Secretary of the Varsity Club, member of the ROTC Officers Club, and Captain of the Varsity Wrestling Team (who respectfully referred to him as “The Spider”). He majored in Political Science, and graduated with a BA in Pre-Law in 1957.
Continuing his ROTC contract, Vincent served actively in the Army from 1957-1959 at Fort Benning, Georgia where he received Ranger Training, and earned his Parachutist Badge. He was honorably discharged from active duty as First Lieutenant, Unit Commander of the 1542nd Infantry. He was proud of his service to his country, and was fond of telling stories of basic training and his travels.
Vincent met Stella Ann-Marie Kelly at the party of a mutual friend, Jacques Preston. He married her in 1966, and she became his devoted and loving wife for 47 years. They went on to travel the world together — seeing far away places such as Egypt, China, Europe, Korea, Japan, Alaska, and the Caribbean — and to raise a family of three children together.
He was an active family man and, together with his wife, participated as much as he could in the activities of their children. He was Scoutmaster of the local Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops, serving as a role model for many young boys in the neighborhood. Both he and his wife served as PTA presidents at every school their children attended. They took their children on many of their trips abroad to connect with family, and to learn about the world.
He recently said that his Family was his “Greatest Achievement”.
While raising his family, Vincent worked as a social worker and investigator for the Social Services Department of the City of New York. After graduating from Adelphi University in 1972 with a Masters of Social Work, he went on to lead various departments within the organization, and retired as the Manager of the Quality of Life Department in the city’s Human Resources Administration.
In his spare time, Vincent enjoyed bicycle riding, long walks, reading, and in-depth conversations about various topics, especially politics and religion.
He took up basic carpentry, building much of the furniture in his home. He always had several projects in various stages of development at his Manhattan apartment, and his summer home in Sag Harbor. (Often to the amusement and frustration of his wife.)
Vincent endeavored to learn new things well into his senior years — He was a lifetime student. His studies in spirituality drew him to Trinity Church, which eventually became his second home. His participation at Trinity included sitting on the Vestry numerous times, leading morning prayers, and meetings at a Seniors group called “New Beginners” which he looked forward to every week. He took part in pilgrimages to holy places around the world, and even represented Trinity on a trip to England where he met Queen Elizabeth.
Vincent is predeceased by his parents Conrad and Kathleen Norman, his brother Conrad Norman, sister Margaret Shire, and brother James Donald Norman.
He is survived by his wife, Stella Ann-Marie Norman; his children Scott Norman, Kevin Norman, and Melanie Dorsey; his daughter in-law Lishona Norman and his son in-law Bryan Dorsey; his granddaughter, Sophia Rose Dorsey; his sister Carol Norman; his sister Kathleen Norman-Schlueck; and generations of nieces and nephews, through his siblings and his marriage.
Vincent will be greatly missed by all who loved him.