Norman Moreira obituary

#MiddleburyCT #NaugatuckCT

Beloved husband, father, grandfather & brother

Norman Moreira, 88, of Naugatuck, passed away peacefully Friday, May 24, 2024, at the VITAS Healthcare Corporation Atlantic Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Lucille (Monteiro) Moreira for 56 years.

Norman was born in Castro Roupal, Macedo Caveleiros, Portugal on April 3, 1936, a son of the late Benjamin and Maria (Paradinha) Moreira. He was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima Church and was a long-time member of the Waterbury Portuguese Sports Club.

Besides his wife, Lucille, he leaves his son, George Moreira and his wife, Dana, of Middlebury and three loving grandchildren, Christopher, Elise and Mary Grace Moreira. He also leaves his brother, Manuel Moreira; sisters, Peidade Dias, Izealda Cabrita and Alzira Moreira, all of Portugal; sister and brothers-in-law, Natercia and Alberto Santos of Naugatuck and Flavio and Adela Monteiro of Wolcott. Norman also leaves numerous nieces and nephews, including Sandy, Mario, Daniel, Michael and Mark.

Norman served in the Portuguese Navy as a radarman and then transferred to the Portuguese fusiliers, serving for a period of 11 years. Norman was a fusilier (fuizeliero) leading a platoon in Guinea-Bissau. Norman ultimately reached the rank of sergeant before being discharged. After coming to the United States with his wife, Norman worked for 11 years at Sealy Mattress.

As a Portuguese immigrant, Norman valued hard work and education. He always sought to better himself. While working, in the evenings, Norman pursued his GED at Naugatuck High School and later obtained his tool maker certificate from Kaynor Tech High School. After becoming a toolmaker, Norman worked at several companies before joining Waterbury Buckle in 1984, where he worked as a toolmaker until he retired. Norman’s great example, incentivized his son to pursue his education.

Norman always enjoyed maintaining a large garden, with a huge variety of vegetables for his family and friends. Norman enjoyed spending time with family, especially family dinners at Alice’s, picnics at Amy’s house, and Christmas and New Year’s Eve at Flavio’s. He loved sitting around the table with family as everyone would share stories.

Norman was a humble and selfless soul. He was kind and gentle. He never focused on himself or his accomplishments (never talking about his military career or his educational achievements). Ultimately, his character spoke for him. He set a great example for his loving grandchildren. He was the standard by which to measure.

Above all else, Norman adored his three grandchildren. He loved spending time with them and had an unusual patience for them. He would spend hours playing with his grandchildren, never tiring or growing bored, always acceding to their requests. He would always attend their events and games; always filled with love and pride. His family will miss him dearly.

Norman’s funeral will be Thursday, May 30, at 9 a.m. from Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home at 430 Chase Parkway in Waterbury to Our Lady of Fatima Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at St. James Cemetery in Naugatuck. Calling hours will be held Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Norman’s memory may be made to Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2071 Baldwin St., Waterbury, CT 06706.

For more information or to send e-condolences, visit www.chaseparkwaymemorial.com