SOUTH PORTLAND – Dad, 85, a life-long avid Red Sox (sports fan), signaled to the Ump for his final time out, Jan. 29, 2021 surrounded by his entire team.

Also known as “Lefty” though he was a “righty”, Stormin’ Normin’ lived a simple but enjoyable life. Dad believed in working hard – no matter the job, living honest, treating everyone the same and that your attitude was everything! He felt strongly you did not demand respect, you earned it and loved helping others.

Dad was a dedicated family man, loyal friend and never known to have an enemy. Sports was a huge part of his life from a young boy – baseball, hockey, basketball, and bowling to managing the best FastPitch Softball Team to come out of Maine (Radio Shack and Olympia) where they remained undefeated from ‘72-‘78 – including games against, good ‘ol Eddie Griffin. Coaching in Little League – Service Oil & in Babe Ruth – General Electric Teams – was also a

big part of his life. With baseball being his favorite sport, Dad even named one of our dogs Yastrzemski (Yaz). He was proud to be a season ticket holder to Fenway Park with dear friend Dave McHugh for over 50 years, only missing 1 Opening Day. In ’73 he and three buddies (Wilbur, Dave and Gee) walked from South Portland to Fenway for the Jimmy Fund and raised over $18,000 without the internet!

He was a lover of life, made the best of every situation from a backyard cookout to a family gathering or even just going to work he gave 100% and rarely if ever – complained.

Since retiring in ‘98, he often could be found at the SPRC playing cribbage with fellow retirees.

Some of his favorite things over the years were going to Higgins Beach with large groups and spending all day enjoying each other. Camping with groups of friends, drive-ins, sledding, bowling, landscaping, home renovation, holiday decorating, Portland Headlight, Pier fries at Old Orchard Beach, trips to North Conway, Rhode Island, family parties and dogs. Most especially, spending time with his six grandkids and 12 great-grandkids. In recent years he took much joy watching his granddaughter Kenzie play Big 10 basketball for the Hoosiers and his grandson Cam who is also involved in the team.

Dad was known for his “Norm-isms”: Can of Corn, Lunk head, Hum baby, Hum baby, Gizmos, and a litany of others as well as whacking anyone sitting next to him in the arm as he talked to them – some never recovered!

His nephew Chris remembers him as a Walking Sports Encyclopedia – any sport, any player, any stat, any team – he knew it.

Above all he was a fantastic Dad, provider, role model – he always made sure we had everything we didn’t even need – even if it took three jobs to do it – every holiday was a memorable and everlasting – the four of us were very Blessed that God gave him to us – and though we did not want to give him back, we always knew he was on loan, he paid his debt and now he can enjoy all his loved ones who have passed, especially, his beloved, Marilyn for all eternity.

Born on Oct. 10, 1935 in Woonsocket, R.I. to Joseph and Angelina (Lahousse) Payette, Norm (Lefty) was the 2nd of eight children. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Marilyn, his folks, brother Rene, sisters Claire and Rita

He is survived by his children, Diane (Dennis) Elvin of New Gloucester, Donna (John) Bandar of Massachusetts, Denise Holmes of Gorham and Joseph of Portland; grandchildren, Heidi (Caleb) Dunn of New Gloucester, Angie (John) Anderson of New Gloucester, Hilary (Alex) Titcomb of Bowdoin, Ethan Elvin of New Gloucester, Cameron and MacKenzie Holmes both of Gorham; 12 great-grandchildren;  siblings, Roger (Jackie) Payette, Muriel (John) Marcos,  Gerard (Linda) Payette, Eileen (Richard) Faford, and Bob Plasse, all of Woonsicket, R.I.; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

We would like to give a special thanks to Claudette and Phil Dube your dedication to Dad over the past seven years was an absolute gift to us. Carol Ann Brown – thank you for being there when we needed you. Heidi and Caleb Dunn for taking Pepere into your home with open arms, hearts and showing him so much care and respect – your family made his final inning more than a treasure.

Dennis – your dedication to Pep over the last few years made a huge difference in a way only YOU could manage.

At the family’s request, all services will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of Hobbs Funeral Home in South Portland. We will hold a World Series Celebration of Life in early summer when things are safer to do so.

To view Norm’s memorial page please visit http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations to:

The Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber Cancer Institute

in Memory of

Normand L. Payette

501(c)(3) – #04-2263040

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