Michael R. Normand

Michael R. Normand, 68, of Manchester, NH, passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Me. He went peacefully with 2 of his sisters, Anne & Kathy, by his side after he fought a long, courageous battle with Cancer and Parkinson’s Disease. Michael was born on December 14, 1955, in Sanford, Maine, one of eight children to Andrew and Marie (Gingras) Normand. He attended St. Ignatius School before attending LaSalette Seminary for High School, where he was part of the final graduating class of 1974. He continued his education at Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute (SMVTI) in Portland, Me. A devout Catholic, Michael’s faith was a central part of his life. He regularly attended Mass in Manchester, NH, and found great comfort in his spirituality. During his school years, he was an avid athlete, excelling in both hockey and soccer. He remained a sports fan and was always cheering for both Notre Dame Football and Boston Bruins Hockey. He had a deep love for the ocean and dreamed of a career in the nautical field. As a young man, Michael was employed at a lumber company, where he suffered a significant injury to his hand. Despite the setback, his resilient spirit never faltered, and he remained active and outgoing. His career aspirations shifted, and he went on to work as a buyer/planner for Cushcraft and Pitco where he retired. He continued to pursue his love of sports as a member of the Executive Health Club, Manchester, NH by learning Racket Ball. For years he ran the Clubs Racket Ball Tournaments. He also became active by becoming a referee for the Women’s Softball League in Manchester, NH. He also continued to pursue his love of sailing and spent a cherished time each summer the 1st week of July sailing on the Schooner Heritage, Rockland, ME, where he met and bonded with kindred spirits who shared his love of sailing. Mike’s nickname on the Heritage was the Medicine Man. Everyone knew him by that. He would bring a bottle of Peppermint Schnapps and one of Fireball Schnapps every year. In the evenings as they all sat on deck talking or listening to the crew play and sing, he would go from person to person among all the passengers and crew offering a little “taste of the medicine”. This year would have been his 50th class reunion from LaSalette Seminary. The family contacted a family friend, LaSalette classmate Dan Bastarache when Mike’s health took a turn for the worse. We are grateful that, prior to Michael’s passing, Dan spearheaded the visits from several of Mike’s classmates as well as Father David Raymond, bringing happiness to his final days. This meant so much to Mike and to his family. Though Michael had no children of his own, he cherished his role as “Uncle Mike” to his nephews David Jr., Daniel, Grand Niece Kilyce Stone, Grand Nephew David Stone III and their friends. His love and enthusiasm for life made him a beloved figure in their lives. Though Michael faced health challenges for many years, he refused to let them define him. He embraced life with determination, never accepting limitations and living each day to its fullest. His perseverance, positivity and unwavering zest for life inspired all who knew him. Michael is predeceased by his parents Andrew and Marie Normand, his sister Carolyn Normand, his sister Margaret Normand and his niece Mary Hagler. Survivors include his siblings, Rosemary Frank of Sanford, Claire Normand of Springvale, Kathleen Roy and her husband Michael of Sanford, Anne Stone of Sanford, David Normand of Sanford, his nephews David Stone Jr., his partner Sarah-Jane Grover and children, Daniel Stone, his partner Heather Gordon, Jim Hagler and daughter Haley, Kurt Frank, his niece Shannon Rawski and family, his Aunt Georgia Guertin and her children, his Aunt Faye and her children, numerous cousins and relatives. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to share in his journey. The Family would like to thank Michael’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Family for the years of extraordinary medical care, kindness, innovative treatments and therapies. The Family would like to thank The Courville at Manchester for the excellent care they gave Michael at the Home. The Family would also like to thank Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, ME for making room for Michael, as well as all the kind, loving & nurturing care that they gave Michael and his family while he was there. The Family would like to express their utmost gratitude to every single person who took care of Michael and the comfort they gave to his family. You are all angels! A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday November 9th, 2024 at 10:00 at Saint Therese of Lisieux Parish (Holy Family) 66 North Ave. Sanford, ME on. Mass will be said by a fellow classmate Father David Raymond. Michael, not one for large gatherings, requested that there be only a Mass held for him allowing his family, friends and colleagues to Celebrate Michael’s Life in their own way. Mike requested that he be cremated and have a burial at sea, performed in 2025, near Rockland, Maine with his friends from the Schooner Heritage who used to sail with him creating some of his most cherished memories from one of his favorite pastimes. To all who knew Mike, he was happiest sailing so taking Mike out to sea is so very much the place he belongs! In Lieu of flowers the Family requests donations be sent in Michael’s name to: Hospice of Southern Maine 390 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074. Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale. To leave a message of condolence visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com