Norman D. Darbe

Plaistow, NH: Norman D. (Grumpy) Darbe, 79, a resident of Plaistow since 1978, died suddenly at home on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Born and raised in Merrimac, Massachusetts, son of the late Clarence and Marion (Gale) Darbe, Norm attended local schools and was a member of the Pentucket Regional High School Class of 1964. He went on to receive his associate’s degree in civil engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1966.

In 1967, he met the love of his life, a young Army nurse, Antoinette “Toni” LaFlamme, and followed her to California. Norm and Toni eloped in Las Vegas in 1969 right after Toni received her orders for duty in Vietnam.

After living in California for close to 10 years, Norm and Toni returned to New England, settling in Plaistow, where Norm established his own business, Darbe Home Care.

As a resident of Plaistow for forty-eight years, Norm was active in his children’s lives as a booster for the Timberlane Regional High School football and cheerleading programs. Norm was also an assistant coach for the Seacoast hockey team and supported the Timberlane drama club and band.

A NASCAR fan, Norm most enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, especially yearly trips to New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Over the course of several trips to Disney World Norm’s grandsons gave him the nickname of “Grumpy” which he embraced fully. He also enjoyed snowmobiling at the family camp in Parsonsfield, Maine with his children and relished many trips to the camp with his grandkids and son.

In retirement Norm and Toni loved escaping to Florida each winter. They traveled the state and in later years, wintered in Tampa.

Any trip south would always include a stop to see Lita in Charlotte where Norm found time to visit his daughter and shared his home improvement expertise, completing many projects around her home. Norm never let distance get in the way of his support of his daughter, who he would consult with on daily calls offering the advice, support and love only a father could deliver.

Norm’s devotion to Toni was complete. He supported her throughout her service in Vietnam and over the years through many challenges related to this service. Up until the final moments of his life, Norm was taking care of Toni, just as he wanted.

Norm gave of himself to help those he cared about, expecting nothing in return—from his great-grandmother, his parents, his aunt and uncle, his children and grandkids and even long-time employees.

Norm enjoyed the simple things in life: a campfire with his grandkids, holidays with his family, working in the garden, or grilling a chuck steak from “Demoulas.” He once shared his philosophy on life with his son, saying the secret to happiness was being surrounded by family who are happy and succeeding, having a place to call home, and “enough money left for a six pack” at the end of the day.

Norm will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of fifty-seven years, Antoinette “Toni” (LaFlamme) Darbe, his son and daughters-in-law, Eric and Alexa Darbe of Hudson, NH, his daughter, Lita Darbe and her companion Erik of Charlotte, NC., his brother Leslie Darbe and nephew Brian Darbe of North Reading, MA, and his grandchildren Christopher and Alexander Darbe of Hudson, NH.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours for Norm on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow. His funeral Service will follow at 6:15pm in the chapel of the funeral home. A private burial service for the family will take place in the Spring.

For those who wish to make memorial donations, the family would like you to consider giving to the Wentworth Institute of Technology.

To send a message of condolence to the family to share a cherished memory, please visit: brooksidechapelfh.com .