Norbert R. Kelley Obituary (1922 - 2016)

Albion, Maine-Norbert R. Kelley, 94, died at Maine Veterans Home in Augusta on December 29, 2016. Norbert was born on November 7, 1922, in Cold Spring, New York. He was the youngest child of Jessie (Sproston) Kelley and Norman H. Kelley. Norbert attended PS #45 and John Adams High School in Cornell Park, Queens, New York. He moved to Maine with his parents in 1939 and he graduated from Besse High School in Albion in 1940. He earned an Associate’s Degree from Thomas Business School in Waterville and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Husson College in Bangor. Norbert loved his country and spent some of the happiest years of his life in her service. He served in the 454th Bombardment Group in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was the top turret gunner and engineer on a B-24 Liberator. On his 28th mission his airplane was shot down over Blechammer, Germany. Norbert spent nine months as a prisoner of war – five months in Stalag Luft IV in Poland and four months on a 600 mile death march through the frozen countryside with no shelter and very little food. After the war, Norbert enlisted in the new US AirForce and served during the Korean “conflict” from 1948 to 1952. He returned to the military for the third time in 1961. He served in the US Army and spent a year in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971. He retired from the Army in 1977. Norbert was drawn to continue working with the armed services so he worked as a civil servant at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks Alaska for 10 years from 1980 to 1990. Norbert was a member of the Albion Christian Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled Veterans and the Grange. Norbert loved Maine and the “little white house” on the Kelley farm in Albion. He loved to travel and was an avid photographer. Norbert enjoyed camping and hiking. Norbert had a beautiful tenor voice and he liked to sing at home and at church. He played the guitar and harmonica, wrote poetry and prose and loved to talk about religion and politics. Norbert was deeply spiritual and loved God and service to others. As they traveled throughout the United States and abroad, he and his beloved wife Nancy spread warmth and kindness to everyone they encountered. He was generous with his time and his talents. Norbert was predeceased by his parents; his sister Norma Kelley; and his brother Gordon W. Kelley. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nancy (Worrall) Kelley of Albion; his daughter Kathleen (Kelley) Crawford and her husband Randy Crawford of Albion; his three grandchildren, Kelley Crawford of Richmond, Nancy Crawford and her significant other Dan Shea of Albion, Joshua Crawford and his significant other Jennifer Crawford of Albion; his great granddaughter Victoria Crawford of Albion; and two nieces and two nephews. Norbert’s family wants to express their deep gratitude to the dedicated staff at Maine Veterans Home in Augusta where they truly care “for those who served” every day. The family appreciates the support of the Togus Hospice and Palliative Care team and the Maine General Hospice staff. Friends may visit on Wednesday, January 4, from 6 to 8 pm or on Thursday, January 5, from 1 to 2 pm at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., in Fairfield. The funeral will take place at the funeral home on Thursday, January 5, at 2 pm. Friends are welcome to join the family at Norbert’s home immediately following the funeral service. Interment will be at a later date at Maine Veteran’s Cemetery in Augusta. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send donations to Maine Veteran’s Home on 310 Cony Rd in August or Maine General Hospice.