George Norman Jr

July 16, 2022

Obituary

George Christopher Norman Jr. (affectionately known to all as “Big George”), age 79, passed away on Saturday, July 16. George was born to Margaret Watters and George Christopher Norman Sr. on June 17, 1943 in Orange, New Jersey. He graduated from Millburn (NJ) High School, received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University, and earned both a Master’s of Business and Master’s in Sports Administration from Ohio University. He proudly served as a Lieutenant Junior Grade with the US Navy Underwater Demolition team while in Vietnam.

After his military service, he began his business career with Owens Corning Fiberglass in Toledo, OH. He spent 20 years in Williamsburg, Virginia in commercial real estate and then retired to Chicago to be near his family. George’s experience as a gifted athlete – playing football, baseball and basketball – in high school and then both football and baseball in college truly shaped him as a person. His loving parents never missed one of his games. He was inducted into the Milburn High School Sports Hall of fame and in 1964 he was named All-Ivy First-Team Defensive End for Cornell Big Red football. Tennis later became Big George’s life-long sport.

However, without a doubt George’s true passion and biggest accomplishment in life was being a father to his 3 daughters, Deirdre “Dee Dee” Carr (Peter), Stephanie Lutz (Sean), and Carrie Norman (Adam Modesitt). He was their biggest cheerleader and fan, often known to be “coaching” from the sidelines (and even received a red card or two!). Big George also cherished his time with his grandchildren (Cate, Margaret, George, Graham, Hunter, Julia, and Cecelia).

Big George will always be remembered for his charming smile and disposition, his weekly special Sunday night dinners with his daughters, and how he always wanted to know the “game” plan. He is survived by his sisters Susan “Sue” D’Elia (Mike) and Judith “Judy” O’Connell (JJ) and many loving nieces and nephews.