T. Norman Bleau, 85
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — T. Norman Bleau, 85, of 85 Eagle St., St. Joseph's Court, died Saturday morning, April 2, 2005, at home.
Mr. Bleau had owned and operated Norm's Barber Shop from 1963 until retiring in April 2002.
Born in North Adams on Feb. 18, 1920, son of Zenophile and Alma Regnier Bleau, he attended the former Notre Dame and St. Joseph's High schools. He also attended schools in Williamstown.
A decorated Army veteran of World War II, he served as a private, first class in the Pacific theater. He received the Combat Infantryman's and Parachutist badges, among others.
Mr. Bleau graduated from Vaughn's Barbering School in Hartford, Conn., in 1948 and served an apprenticeship with Rougeau and Gardner Barber Shop on Ashland Street before becoming a professional barber with the shop.
He also graduated from the School of Hairstyling in Worcester in the 1950s. In 1963, he established his shop on Ashland Street and, in 1974, moved it to Eagle Street, next to Jack's Hot Dog Stand.
On Sept. 12, 1998, a 50-year celebration was held for Mr. Bleau, with an open house attended by state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, who presented him with a certificate from the State House honoring his years of service to the community.
Mr. Bleau was a longtime communicant of St. Francis' Church, where he served as an usher, a life member of Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion and a member of Lodge 487 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
A founding member of the North Adams Cribbage Club, he also enjoyed bowling, playing chess with friends and local college students, and playing golf. His true love was spending time with his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He and his wife, the former Margaret Lena "Marge" Dowling, were married Sept. 28, 1946, in St. Francis' Church.
Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters, Carol M. Boucher and her husband, Michael, and Diane M. Bleau, all of North Adams; two sons, Thomas Leonard Bleau of North Adams and Robert Alan Bleau of Pownal, Vt.; a brother, Zenophile Bleau of Hudson, N.Y.; seven grandchildren, Jimmy and Lindsay Bleau, Aja and Shannon Daugherty, and Katie, Sarah and Mikey Boucher; six great-grandchildren, Zoe Daugherty, Chase Vander Woude, Tyler Briggs, Kiera Boucher, Darren Hall and Shaliyah Boucher; two daughters-in-law, Susan Bleau and Judy Bleau, and a brother-in-law, Chester "Bob" Babula and a sister-in-law, Mildred Smith, both of North Adams.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Edward and Charles Bleau, and by a sister, Pearl Horsfall.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Services for Mr. Bleau will be held Wednesday, April 6, at 10:15 at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, North Adams. Burial with military honors will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be Tuesday from 4 to 7. Memorial donations are suggested for VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire through the funeral home.