Norman D. Carson

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, November 18, in Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg from 5-7pm. The funeral Mass will be held on Friday in Our Lady of the Lake Church at 11:00am. Burial will follow in the MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon. In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite bird or animal rescue league, Dad so enjoyed his many feline gals, canine pals and birdwatching. He was an animal lover!



It is with great sadness that the family of Norman L. Carson announces his passing. Dad passed on Dec 18, 2020 in Leominster Hospital from natural causes. Norman was born in Albany, New York on February 5, 1931 to Leonie Sirovica and Paul D. Carson. Norman was raised by his grandparents Lucien and Lily Chatelain in Gloversville, New York. It was his Gramps and Gram who bestowed such love on him throughout his life. Norman attended Cheverus Catholic High School in Portland, ME until returning to Gloversville, NY to graduate from Gloversville High School in 1948. He was an athletic scholar, having played varsity Football, Baseball and Basketball. Norman enlisted in the Navy in 1948 serving in the Korean War for four years. After serving his country for four years in the Navy he enrolled at the State University Teachers College at Brockport, in Brockport, NY. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science in General Elementary Education in 1956. He was a member of Zeta Phi Chapter of Kappa Delta Phi the national honor society, played varsity baseball and served as his class president in his senior year. Norman earned a Masters Degree from Clark University in Worcester, MA. He taught throughout upstate New York before settling in Leominster, MA to begin his teaching career at Fitchburg State Teachers College in 1964. Dad was a well respected professor from 1964 until his retirement in 1991. He served as Chairman of the Political Science Department for many terms. Dad lived history and so enjoyed sharing his knowledge of subject with his students. He was nominated and won the Distinguished Employee Service award twice in 1979 & 1983. In 1991 he was bestowed the title of Professor Emeritus. Norman was also the head baseball coach at Fitchburg State College from 1967-1978 and was one of his greatest joys. As well as being a player himself in his younger days he was able to coach at FSC. Dad was often approached by his past players with a “Hey Coach” how are you doing? Where a conversation would immediately ensue about a particular game or play that had taken place. Norman also served as the MTA union steward representing his fellow faculty members and giving him the nick name “Stormin’ Norman”. There was never any cause too small for him to serve his constituents. Upon retirement in 1991 Dad enjoyed spending time traveling with his wife Joan Milbury to their favorite destination San Diego, CA, many times a year, reading extensively, playing golf, reading the entire New Yorker laughing at the cartoons, NY Times Crossword puzzles and spending time with family and friends. Dad gave one of the greatest gifts to his only grandson “Jake” the art of playing golf. Dad began teaching “Jake at the age of four how to play the sport and “Jake carries that gift still with him today as he plays as often as he can. Norman leaves his daughter Jannine Y. Carson of Fitchburg, MA, a son Timothy J. Carson of Leominster, MA, and his grandson John “Jake” C. Griffin of Fitchburg, MA. Dad/Gramps loved us all unconditionally, he wanted us all to succeeded and enjoy our lives. We all miss him immensely, his history lessons, his sharing of what bird or wildlife may have passed through his day. Norman was predeceased by his wife of almost 40 years Joan B. Milbury whom he referred to as his beloved shipmate through life. Joan passed away on May 1, 2019 and dad missed her every single day. They so enjoyed their time on this earth together. You could find them most often at one of the local diners in Fitchburg on any given day for breakfast or taking a stroll in Coggshall Park together. We would like to acknowledge and thank various friends and families that played a large roll in dad’s life; his neighbors The Slattery’s and The Jeffries, his golf partner of many years Steve Gould, and Visiting Angles of Leominster MA.