There will be a Celebration of Life on Monday, October 12th, from 3-6pm at the LaFargeville American Legion for Mr. Norman J. Kirkland, age 59. Norm died Wednesday evening at his home, where he was under the care of his family, friends and Hospice of Jefferson County.
Norm was born December 3, 1955, in Watertown, the son of John (Jack) and Patricia Patchen Kirkland. He graduated from Thousand Islands High School.
On July 7, 2001, he married the former Donna Busby at the Depauville Methodist Church with Reverend Cindy Beth McCune officiating.
Norm worked for a time at the New York Air Brake, and retired after 25 years on December 12, 2012, as a New York State Correction Officer at the Cape Vincent Correctional Facility.
He was an avid outdoorsman, loved deer hunting and going to Montana for Elk and Mule Deer. Norm also enjoyed bowling and Nascar. He was a member of the Sand Bay Sportsman Club.
Surviving besides his wife Donna, is his Mother Pat of Watertown; one daughter, Molly (Brian) O’Donnell of Syracuse; one stepson, Dale Seymour and his companion Jessica Thompson of LaFargeville; one grandchild, Brennen Seymour of LaFargeville; one brother, Jamie (Kelly) of Theresa; two sisters, Peggy Kirkland of Weedsport, and Dawn Kirkland and her husband Earl Castile of San Francisco; aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Donations can be made in his name to the ALS Association, PO Box 6051, Albert Lea, M.N. 56007.
Bruce Baird
Very sorry for your loss. Norm was one of the most memorable, wonderful people I’ve met in my practice.
Barry Chalk
So sorry to hear of Norm’s passing. He was a class mate of mine, and one of the best guy’s I’ve ever known. Smart, funny, hard working, a real first class guy. He will be missed.
Kerry and Nancy Benney
To all of Norm’s family, Our Thoughts and prayers are with you all. Norm’s laughter and smile will be forever missed but never forgotten.
Lisa & Gary Davoy
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Donna, and the entire family. …Rest easy ,Norm..you’ll be missed. …
Janna Shaffrey
My condolences to Norm’s family. We were classmates, and I was fortunate to have recently seen him, unexpectedly. He reminded me that it had been 28 years since we’d “bumped into” each other. Such a genuine person.
Diane Reff Morinigo
To Norm’s family,
My condolences to the family. I was in the class with Norm and have seen him off and on over the last few years. Always a smile on his face. May he rest in peace. I am glad that I was able to reconnect over the last few years.
Andrew and Wendy Binsley
Our condolences to the family, sorry for your loss. Norm was a good man to have working for me and with me. He will be missed.
Roland Van Deusen
May God have mercy on Norm’s soul and comfort his family. When healthy, he was a robust, warm, and humorous co-worker. He bravely fought ALS to the end, working out at the Clayton gym with me. One measure of the man was the huge turnout of his friends at the Legion benefit.
Krissy Eckert
Donna,
I’m so sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure to have known Norm. He was a wonderful man inside and out. Please know I’m here if you ever need anything
ron lewis
it was a pleasure working with at air brake. he badly be miss
Rhonda Favret
Donna,
I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am to hear about your loss. The life of a great man taken too soon. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I am always here if you ever need someone to talk to.
Renee Reff Miranda
So sorry to hear of Norman’s passing. We graduated together. He was a really nice guy and always smiling and being funny. He definitely will be missed. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lynda Jackson
Donna,
There is never enough words to express the true sorrow that one feels, please know that if there is anything you need please call me or you can call Jay, you have both of our phone numbers.
I wish I could take the pain away for you. No one ever knows what one is going thru, everyones pain is different. I do know that it is hard to go thru alone. if you need to talk I am here for you, no matter what time it is, just call me.
Take care of yourself, you are in my thoughts and prayers, and so his the rest of the family.
annie reed
So sorry for your loss, thinking of you. Will talk soon. You are in my heart
Tiffany Kirkland
I will miss his laugh, and his heart. I will always remember him. He will now be with Grandpa, Uncle Jim, and Great Grandma Kirkland. He will be an angel. He is definitely getting an angel on my tree this Christmas.
steve lawton
I’m sad that NORM was called to the lord. I really enjoyed working with norm and going on moose hunts with him and friends. I’m proud to have known him. I am specially honored to call him a friend. My heart felt condolences to Donna , and the Kirkland family, friends. I have some of the best memories in my life with Norm!!
Mike Birchenough
I had the pleasure to work with norm great guy. Rip norm you will be missed by all.hugs and prayers to your family
DAVE CRONK
SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS.BEST WISHES TO THE FAMILY.
Terry Comins
My thoughts and prayers to Norm’s family and friends at this difficult time. We were classmates and I remember the great person he was.
Jim and Lynne Witkowski
Molly we are so sorry for the loss of your father. We got to know him and Donna better just this year at Cedar Point and was able to attend his benefit. He was so happy sitting beside the River.
He will be missed.
Terry and Allen Drake
We were very saddened to hear of Norm’s passing. We are in Myrtle Beach so we will be unable to attend any services. May the memories you shared give you strength in the days ahead. Please know we are thinking of you and all of Norm’s family.
Terry and Allen
Gary and Jackie Clark
Donna and family,
Sorry to hear about Norm’s passing. He was a great guy. I have many happy memories of the great times we had growing up together.
Gary
Jim and Mary Powell
To the Kirkland family our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
richard burt
my deepest sympathy and condolences go out to Donna and the family. Norm was one that touched everyone of us that knew him. he will always be remembered in our hearts…. RIP my friend
Ron & Ginger Young
Our deepest sympathy for the entire family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Norm was a great person and friend who always had time for a chat. He will be missed by all.
vera gregory
I met Norm back in 1988- we became fast friends. Loved hearing the Montana stories, and watching him cook up some of that Montana meat. He was always there to listen if I needed someone to talk to. Donna you are the best thing that ever happened to Norm. I hope all the great memories you both made together will help you to remember to smile. Hugs to you.
Patti Wagner Lashomb
Donna, my thoughts are with you and Norm and all the family this afternoon. I don’t have to tell you how much my father thought of your Norm, you already know that. I wish you peace in the days to come, you have my number, please call me anytime if you want to talk about our 2 Norms and the great friendship they had!