Born Sept. 23, 1918, in Biddeford, Norman was the next to the youngest child of Silvio and Annabelle (Simpson) Boutet’s 13 children.
Norman graduated from Thornton Academy in 1938. He was described in the yearbook as having a “flashing smile and jolly manner,” traits which he kept until his final day. Later in life, he attended night classes at the University of Rhode Island, where he proudly earned an engineering degree. Norman also served in the U.S. Army until being honorably discharged due to an injury in 1941.
In the early 1950s, Norman worked as a machinist alongside his father and four of his brothers at the Saco-Lowell Shops. He then went to work as a manufacturing foreman at Texas Instruments in Attleboro, Massachusetts, where he enjoyed a 30-year career at a company he loved.
Norman married Jenny Litchos in 1954, and they spent 61 wonderful years together, raising their family in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, until their retirement back to Saco in 1985. Norman always said that even though he lived in Massachusetts for nearly 30 years, he never really unpacked his bags, and was happy to finally return home to Maine.
Norman was an expert craftsman, and he spent many happy hours in his workshop. His woodworking legacy lives on in everything from birdhouses to coat racks to coffee tables, to even a house on Locke Street in Saco, which he designed and built himself. The man loved sawdust!
In his quiet time, Norman solved crossword puzzles and cryptoquotes, and would spend many hours on his computer, which he took up when he was in his 80s. He loved sending emails, joined Facebook, ordered online and checked “his stocks” every day. He had an inquisitive mind right until the end, and enjoyed all things financial.
Norman was also passionate about politics, and liked nothing more than debating current events. A lifelong Democrat, upon learning a few weeks ago that his days were numbered, Norman said that his only regret was that he would not live long enough to vote for Hillary Clinton.
Norman was preceded in death by: his parents; his infant sisters Grace and Mildred; his sister Ida (Boutet) Morris; and his nine brothers Harry, Leo, Homer, Raymond, Clayton, Linwood, Robert, Albert and Chandler. He was the last of his generation of Boutets, and it is the end of an era for the family. He was also preceded in death by his wife Jenny, who passed away less than a year ago.
He is survived by: his daughters, Pam (Boutet) Edge of Windham, Norma (Boutet) Manning of Boston, and Julie Boutet of Saco; his son-in-law Michael Manning; his grandchildren, Christian Edge, Richelle (Edge) Fitzgerald and Sylvie Manning; and his great-granddaughter, Adriyanna Edge.
Norman also leaves behind many nieces and nephews from the extended Boutet family, including his special nephew Dickie Libby and his wife Beverly, who had been such a help to Norman in his later years. Norman will also be missed by his many neighbors in Bayview Terrace, including his honorary grandsons Thomas, Michael and Gregory Robert. We will all miss Norman’s passion for the Red Sox, his many, many stories about days gone by, and the twinkle in his hazel eyes.
At Norman’s request, there will be no public services. Arrangements are by Cote Funeral Home, Saco. To view Norman’s memorial page or to leave an online condolence, please visit cotefuneralhome.com.
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