Richard L Normandin

Richard L Normandin of South Hadley, passed on to Heaven on September 27, 2025 after battling cancer.  He was born Jan 14, 1944 to Emile and Cecile Normandin.He was known for his kindness, sense of humor and goodwill.  He lived his life for the love of family, his work and his time and movies from Antarctica.He graduated from Holyoke Trade School.  Then he did two tours in the Navy on board the ice breaker USS Glacier AGB4, Operation Deep Freeze to Antarctica between 1964 – 66.  Returning home he met and married the love of his life Sandra Balicki and lived their life together in South Hadley, MA.  He worked as a maintenance man for over three decades at one of the mills in Holyoke MA through the many different owners, Technifax, Scott Graphics, Xidex, and Anacomp.  Then finished his working career at EIS Wire & Cable in South Hadley, MA.Upon retiring Richard kept busy playing golf, volunteering at the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food Pantry in South Hadley Falls, and working at Beers N Story funeral home in South Hadley.  He was a devoted parishioner of St Theresa’s church in South Hadley.  But his biggest passion was his home movies he took from his Navy tours in Antarctica.  He had them on CD and narrated the movies at the Pantry and the church for the public who were interested in learning about the operations the Navy did during that time.  He received the South Hadley Veteran of the Year award in 2022. He was predeceased by his parents, Emile and Cecile Normandin, brother in law Charles Boucher, and many other aunts, uncles, nephews and cousins. He is survived by his wife Sandra Normandin, children Andrew Normandin of Belchertown, Anne Rouleau and her husband Brian of Holland VT, Dianna Mackley and her husband Stephen of New Zealand.  His sister Elaine Boucher of Ludlow MA and brother Raymond and wife Shirley Normandin of Atascosa TX, his maternal aunt Lorraine Aluxek of Holyoke.  His grandchildren, Page Rouleau and partner Gaston Morin of Holland VT, Hayley and Kim Jones, Shannen Sale and husband Bradley of New Zealand.  Great grandchildren Haidence, Harvey, Nolan, and Reid.  And many nieces, nephews and cousins.Special thanks to the wonderful volunteers at Harmony House WMA in Chicopee, MA who took such good care of him at the end.  In lieu of flowers please donate to this wonderful place at 66 View St Chicopee, MA or online at Harmonyhousewma.org.Also special thanks to Rev. Joe Degrande for his friendship to Richard throughout his ordeal and for being there for his family through the end.  Visitation will be Friday Oct 10 from 4-7pm at the Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home.  A Memorial Mass will be Saturday, Oct 11 at 10am at St. Theresa of Lisieux.  Please meet directly at the church.  Burial will follow at St. Rose DeLima Cemetery.