FITCHBURG – W. Norman (“Pa”) Hertel, 88, of Fitchburg, died October 16 2016 at home peacefully surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born on February 14 1928 (Valentine’s baby) in Fitchburg, delivered into this world in his home across the road from his grandfather’s Sunny Hill Farm, a working dairy farm established in 1898 which Norman took over the operation of at the age of 16 and later purchased in 1956. Norman enjoyed farming, first and foremost, milking cows for over 60 years, and working the corn and hay fields right up till he turned 88. He was an avid gardener and in his later years learned that his kids could garden too and would ride his Gator from house to house to harvest from all the gardens to his delight! He loved the farm life, and always had a twinkle in his blue eyes when anyone asked him about farming. Whenever he met someone new along his journey in life, he would start the conversation with “I am a Farmer”. Norman was a lifetime member of the Fitchburg Sportsman Club, avid bass fisherman and winner of Century Farm Award and New England Green Pasture Award. He also loved sports, both professional as well as all local sports his family would play in their younger years.

Norman leaves his beautiful wife of 65 years, Evelyn McGowan (Kavanaugh) Hertel, originally from Templeton, MA; his sister Beverly Sundberg; his 6 children: son Robert Hertel, his wife Deborah, their children Joshua and wife Lauren and great granddaughter Alaina, Sara Champagne and her husband Mark; son Wallace Hertel, his wife Connie, their children Tommy Kittredge and his wife Lisa and grandchildren Niko, Ryan and Kyra, daughter Carol Masaitis and grandchildren Sasha, Victor the 4th, and Kate; daughter Melissa Hertel and her daughter Alicia; daughter Molly Reid, and her husband Chris, their children Jeremy, Craig and Matthew; son Andrew Hertel, his wife Kerrie, their children Maxwell, Meghan, Sydney and Russell; and daughter Kelly Hertel, her husband Lawrence Frye, her children Jennifer and Geoffrey Richardson. Norman is predeceased by his beloved daughter, Suzanna, brother Harry and lifetime friends Lenny Adler and Bill Kymalainen.

The entire family would like to thank his best friend, Roland Mercier, for his friendship and companionship during Pa’s later years, as well as his care givers including son-in-law John Richardson and all the nurses at Burbank Oncology and GVNA for their special care, listening ear and compassion.

In lieu of flowers the family wishes to have donations sent to Top Fun Aviation Toy Museum, 21 Prichard St, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

Calling hours for “PA” will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 P.M. and from 10 to 11 A.M. Thursday in the Bosk Funeral Home 85 Blossom St. followed by burial in Forest Hill Cemetery.

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