Obituary for Norman K. Pandell, Sr.
Norman K. Pandell, Sr., March 27, 1928-July 5, 2021, passed away peacefully at Williamstown Commons of natural causes at the age of 93. Norman was a life-long resident of Cheshire, and for the last 6 ½ years resided at 66 Dean St.
Norman was married to his wife of 63 years, Joyce M. (LeBeau) Pandell, who passed in 2014. They have four children, Joanne M. Heath (Fred) of Severna Park, MD, Norman K. “Buzz” Pandell, Jr. (Martha) of Fullerton, CA, Kevin C. Pandell (Jesuine) of Anaheim, CA, and Larry T. Pandell (Noelle) of Cheshire. He leaves behind six grandchildren, Brad & Blaize Pandell of Clinton, MA, Anna & Anthony Pandell of Fullerton, CA, KC Marie Pandell of Anaheim, CA and Christopher Heath of Glen Burnie, MD. He is survived by two sisters, Lois Nangle of Cheshire and Ruth Johnson of San Diego, CA. He also had three great grandchildren, Elizabeth Heath of Galena, MD and Anthony and Audrey Pandell of Fullerton, CA. He is pre-deceased by his sister Doris Miller and brother Calvin Pandell, both of Hickory, NC and grandson, Jason Heath of Galena, MD.
Norman was born in North Adams, attended Adams schools, and as a youth, helped his grandfather deliver milk in a horse-drawn wagon. He worked on the family dairy farm, which he owned with his father, Karl, from 1945 until he entered the Army in December 1953. He served at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he received training in oxyacetylene welding, and attained the grade of SP3. He earned the National Defense Service Medal before receiving an Honorable Discharge in September 1955.
He returned to the farm and raised his family there until the property was sold in 1967. He began a long career as a welder in the Power Transformer division of General Electric in Pittsfield, working the 3:00 PM to midnight shift, retiring in 1992. His welding expertise kept him busy in retirement. He had quite an elaborate workshop in his basement and was always happy to repair or fabricate something for anyone who needed a hand. Eventually he got into woodworking and was always making coffee mug trees, corner shelves and refinishing small pieces of furniture.
Norman was a long-time member of the Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department. He and Joyce were fixtures at the Annual Fireman’s Ball, and were always among the first couples on the dance floor. They loved to dance and were a graceful and elegant pair! He loved Polka and Big Band music, as well as Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. In his later years, he enjoyed watching classic TV comedy shows – MASH and All in the Family. He was a huge Red Sox fan, but always managed to keep an eye on his kids’ teams, the Baltimore Orioles and the California Angels and was able to attend games at both Camden Yards and the Big A.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Cheshire Volunteer Fire Dept. Checks can be made payable to the Hoosac Hose Company, P.O. Box 598, Cheshire, MA 01225.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Cheshire United Methodist Church, 197 Church St., Cheshire, on Saturday, August 7th at 11:00 AM. An Open House reception will be held at his former home, 15 South St. in Cheshire, following the Service. Internment at the Cheshire Cemetery will be private at a later date.
Norman was married to his wife of 63 years, Joyce M. (LeBeau) Pandell, who passed in 2014. They have four children, Joanne M. Heath (Fred) of Severna Park, MD, Norman K. “Buzz” Pandell, Jr. (Martha) of Fullerton, CA, Kevin C. Pandell (Jesuine) of Anaheim, CA, and Larry T. Pandell (Noelle) of Cheshire. He leaves behind six grandchildren, Brad & Blaize Pandell of Clinton, MA, Anna & Anthony Pandell of Fullerton, CA, KC Marie Pandell of Anaheim, CA and Christopher Heath of Glen Burnie, MD. He is survived by two sisters, Lois Nangle of Cheshire and Ruth Johnson of San Diego, CA. He also had three great grandchildren, Elizabeth Heath of Galena, MD and Anthony and Audrey Pandell of Fullerton, CA. He is pre-deceased by his sister Doris Miller and brother Calvin Pandell, both of Hickory, NC and grandson, Jason Heath of Galena, MD.
Norman was born in North Adams, attended Adams schools, and as a youth, helped his grandfather deliver milk in a horse-drawn wagon. He worked on the family dairy farm, which he owned with his father, Karl, from 1945 until he entered the Army in December 1953. He served at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he received training in oxyacetylene welding, and attained the grade of SP3. He earned the National Defense Service Medal before receiving an Honorable Discharge in September 1955.
He returned to the farm and raised his family there until the property was sold in 1967. He began a long career as a welder in the Power Transformer division of General Electric in Pittsfield, working the 3:00 PM to midnight shift, retiring in 1992. His welding expertise kept him busy in retirement. He had quite an elaborate workshop in his basement and was always happy to repair or fabricate something for anyone who needed a hand. Eventually he got into woodworking and was always making coffee mug trees, corner shelves and refinishing small pieces of furniture.
Norman was a long-time member of the Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department. He and Joyce were fixtures at the Annual Fireman’s Ball, and were always among the first couples on the dance floor. They loved to dance and were a graceful and elegant pair! He loved Polka and Big Band music, as well as Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. In his later years, he enjoyed watching classic TV comedy shows – MASH and All in the Family. He was a huge Red Sox fan, but always managed to keep an eye on his kids’ teams, the Baltimore Orioles and the California Angels and was able to attend games at both Camden Yards and the Big A.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Cheshire Volunteer Fire Dept. Checks can be made payable to the Hoosac Hose Company, P.O. Box 598, Cheshire, MA 01225.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Cheshire United Methodist Church, 197 Church St., Cheshire, on Saturday, August 7th at 11:00 AM. An Open House reception will be held at his former home, 15 South St. in Cheshire, following the Service. Internment at the Cheshire Cemetery will be private at a later date.