Past president of the Massachusetts Association of Plant Engineers, father of Harvard man

Roger L. Normand, 80, of Holyoke, died Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010, at the Holyoke Medical Center.

He was born in Chicopee, son of the late Ulric and Anna (Archambault) Normand, and was educated in the Chicopee and Holyoke Schools. Roger worked for Ampad Corporation in Holyoke for 43 years before retiring in 1996 as chief engineer, and was a past president of the Massachusetts Association of Plant Engineers. He was a member of Chicopee Lodge of Elks #1849, and a communicant of Holy Cross Church in Holyoke.

For those who knew and loved him, Roger was a force of nature, the go-to guy who could fix any problem and keep your world running like a well-oiled machine. The loss of his confident counsel will be felt by all whose lives he touched.

Roger is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Helen (Ruszczyk) Normand; two sons, Victor R. Normand and his wife, Jacqueline, of Stow Road; and Robert L. Normand and his wife, Patricia, of Holyoke; four grandchildren, Peter U. Normand and his wife, Polly (Obremski), of Northampton; Benjamin A. Normand and his partner, Jaclyn Lozach, of Nantucket; Emily A. Normand of Harvard, and Madeline M. Normand of Boston; a sister, Elaine Bressette, and her husband, Roland, of Chicopee. He is also survived by numerous godchildren, including Mary Ann (Ruszczyk) Kulesa, Gerald Bernash, Gary Bressette, and Laura (Ruszczyk) Gilbert.

Roger was predeceased by four sisters, Blanche Guillmette, Juliet Langevin, Theresa Cote, and Cecile Bernash.

The funeral was held Thursday at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home in Holyoke, followed by a Mass in Holy Cross Church. Burial was in Notre Dame Cemetery, South Hadley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Holy Cross Church, 23 Sycamore St., Holyoke MA 01040, or to the charity of one’s choice.