Born on the 5th August 1926 Norman went to school in Warrington completing his school education at Boteler Grammar School. Within months of leaving school in 1944, Norman was called into the Army where he was selected for Officer training in the Border Regiment. Completing his training in India Norman served with the 2nd Battalion the South Lancashire Regiment and had reached the rank of Captain when discharged in 1948.
Resuming his education at Manchester University, Norman completed an Arts Degree and Teachers Diploma in 1952 and began a career in education holding the post of Head of English at Secondary Schools in Solihull and Keighley and Deputy Head and Vice-Principal at Fairfax School in Bradford. Retiring in 1980 Norman continued as a supply teacher until 1991.
At the age of 17, Norman was smitten by a young lady named Dorothy who he married in July 1949 with a son, John being born in 1958.
John, after obtaining an Honours Degree subsequently emigrated to the USA where he married and has two sons, grandsons of whom Norman and Dorothy were very proud.
Norman and Dorothy had a wonderful life together celebrating their 60th anniversary shortly before Dorothy died in 2009.
Initiated into Merston-Culy Lodge No 6879 (Worcester) in January 1958 Norman became a joining member of Priory Lodge No 4671 (Yorkshire, West Riding) in January 1969 and served as Master in 2005. Following his year in the Chair Norman remained active in the Lodge holding various offices and was Senior Warden when the Lodge surrendered its warrant in 2014. He then joined Priory’s mother Lodge, Scientific No 439 where he received his 60-year certificate in 2016.
Norman’s pastime was singing at which he excelled, and we will all remember his fine Bass voice singing the Initiates or Masters Songs at many Lodges throughout the Province. An amateur singer Norman performed for many years with West Riding Opera and Dales Opera as principal bass singing many important and interesting roles.
Norman was a true Brother and gentleman and passed to the Grand Lodge above on 4th December 2020. He will be very sadly missed by family, friends and Brethren.