Normand R. Lavallee

Normand R. Lavallee, 72, a lifelong resident of Northbridge, died on Saturday, December 27, 2008, in Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, after a long illness.

He leaves his wife of 42 years, Barbara E. (Greene) Lavallee; a son, Rev. Michael N. Lavallee, Associate Pastor of St. John The Evangelist Catholic Parish, Clinton; a sister, M. Jeanne Lavallee of Northbridge; and many cousins. He was born in Whitinsville on April 16, 1936, son of the late Ludovic R. and Beatrice M. (Lussier) Lavallee and graduated from Northbridge High School in 1955. He earned a bachelor's degree in education from Worcester State College in 1959 and went on to earn a master's degree in history from the same school. He served for several years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Mr. Lavallee was employed for 37 years as a social studies teacher by the Northborough Public Schools, teaching in the middle school for most of that time; he retired in 2006. He also worked as a part-time security guard at the Worcester Art Museum for 13 years. He was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Parish where he served as a catechist in the religious education program and worked for many years on the Parish Bazaar Committee, serving as its chairman for 5 years. He was also a member of Oliver Ashton Post #343, American Legion, the Northborough Teachers Assn., the Massachusetts Teachers Assn., and the Retired Educators Assn.of Massachusetts. He enjoyed golf, gardening, and reading, especially books on his favorite historical subjects.

His funeral will be Wednesday, December 31, from Turgeon Funeral Home, 80 School St., with a Funeral Mass at 10 AM in St. Peter's Catholic Church, 39 Church Ave. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Whitinsville. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Tuesday, December 30, from 5 to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Peter's Catholic Parish, P.O. Box 446, Northbridge, MA 01534.