Norman E. McCloskey

McCloskey, Norman E.

Age 80, formerly of Philo Road, Horseheads, recently of Bethany Manor, passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2011, from complications of several strokes. He had been in failing health for several years. Norman was born on September 23, 1930 in Elmira, son of the late Paul Edward and Emma Elizabeth (Dickinson) McCloskey. Norm was predeceased by his beloved wife of 37 years, Gladys (Miller) McCloskey; uncle and best friend, Bud Dickinson and Aunt Mae Dickinson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul and Mary Jane Miller. After graduating in June of 1948 from Southside High School, where he lettered in football, he entered the Marine Corps and completed basic training at Camp LeJeune, NC. Soon after rising to the rank of Corporal, he was called home to attend to a family emergency. Following his Marine Corps service, he married his high school sweetheart, the late Gladys Miller McCloskey in 1951. He joined the family business, PEM Express which ultimately became Berman's Motor Freight from which he retired after 42 years of service without an accident. He was also the founder and owner of MCCLOSKEY CLEAN AIR in Endwell, NY. Norm was a communicant of St. Mary Our Mother Church in Horseheads where he served as an usher for many years. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Catholic War Veterans and the White Eagles Club, a 40 year lifetime member of the Big Flats American Legion and an officer of the Teamsters Union. He was an active participant in a golf group that played at Willow Creek Golf Club several times a week. He was joined in this activity by, among others, his uncle and best friend, the late Bud Dickinson. He is survived by his brother, Ed McCloskey and sister-in-law, Rosi (Connelly) McCloskey of Stewartstown, PA; four children: daughter, Sue Ann Oleshak and son-in-law, Paul Oleshak of Corning, daughter, Linda Jo Martin and son-in-law, John Martin of Chateaugay, NY, son, Paul Edward McCloskey II and daughter-in-law, Kim (Naylor) McCloskey of Horseheads, NY, daughter, Mary Beth Turner and son-in-law, Wes Turner of Elmira; grandchildren, Andy Yeager of Key West, FL, Cory Yeager of Arlington, VA, Jake Martin of Asheboro, NC, Ben Martin of Seneca Falls, NY, Silas Martin of Plattsburgh, NY, Coleman and Austin McCloskey of Horseheads, Kevin Harris of Elmira, Courtney (Harris) and husband, Eric Youngs of Wilmington, NC, Savannah Armstrong of Gulfport, MS, Mitchell Armstrong of Elmira, Sage and Eli Thomas, both of Elmira, and Deven Hill and Jonny and Airik Turner, all of Elmira; niece, Carol Miller of Elmira; nephew, Ralph Miller of Roanoke, VA; special friend and companion for many years, Gail Hanwell of Horseheads; good friend and next door neighbor, Mary Fitzgerald. Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday, March 26th, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the James D. Barrett Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow there at 4 p.m. Interment will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The family would like to thank the staff at the Bethany Manor for all their help and support during our father's later years.