Abraham Norman

Abe Norman died on March 21, 2012, at the age of 89. He was born July 12, 1922, in Geneva, New York, to Joseph and Zina Norman. Abe left Geneva to enlist in the army in 1942. After serving in the Pacific for the duration of World War II, he moved to Elmira. He worked at Elias’s Food Market and later Super Duper. Upon his retirement from Super Duper in 1984, he often filled in part-time at Renko’s Meat Market.Abe was introduced to his future wife, Jennie Ferris from Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, at the wedding of Jennie’s older sister. In November of 2011, they celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. In addition to his devoted wife, Jennie, Abe is survived by son and daughter-in-law Rick and Susie Norman; son and daughter-in-law Ron Norman and Fiona O’Connor; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Joe and Tracey Norman; and great-grandchildren, Sadie and Max Norman, who knew him as their beloved Jiddo. Abe also leaves behind his sister and good friend Helen Close of Big Flats; his sister Martha Rashid of Bethesda, Maryland; his nephew Bill Elias of Horseheads with whom he shared many happy memories; his other “in-town” nephew, Kelvin Close of Big Flats; and many nieces and nephews out of the area. Abe was predeceased by his sisters Mary Elias and Ruth McCauley and his brother, George Norman.Abe will be remembered for his love of the New York Yankees. He was already looking forward to this baseball season. He was a man content with what he had, and, if asked to sum up the quality of his life, he most likely would have shrugged and replied that it was “not bad,” his highest form of praise. The Norman family is extremely grateful to Dr. Schenone, Dr. Riley, Dr. Tapia, Dr. Becker, and the staff at the Outpatient Dialysis Unit of Arnot Ogden, whose kind and expert care gave Abe several years that he would not have otherwise enjoyed. The family also appreciates all that Dr. Corbalan and the staff of the Chemung County Nursing Facility did to keep Abe comfortable in his last weeks. Calling hours for Abe will take place at Olthof Funeral Home Inc. 1050 Pennsylvania Avenue, Elmira, NY 14904 on Sunday, March 25th, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. A service in thanksgiving for Abe’s life will be held immediately following the visiting hours at 4:00. The burial will be held at the convenience of the family Deacon George Welch will officiate