Norman R. Jennings

Norman Jennings / 1923-2026 Norm, or “Bud” as he was known to his family and childhood friends, was born in Ithaca, NY on July 19, 1926 to Burton and Clara (Oliver) Jennings. He had two sisters, Florence (Poludniak) and Marjorie (Yaeger). Over his almost 103 years, he led an extraordinary life. He had many adventures in the Fall Creek neighborhood in Ithaca. Climbing the Ithaca falls and outrunning a train on the black iron bridge were a couple of stories he loved to tell. Many of his experiences were with his cousins, Dick and Bob Oliver. His favorite times were spent at the family cottage on Cayuga Lake fishing, hunting, and sailing. His parents were a strong and positive influence on his life. He learned many life lessons from his Dad, including how to make and repair almost anything and the value of hard work. They built his first sailboat when he was 12. It was the beginning of his great love of sailing. His mother taught him the love of God and how to be a good person. These lessons stayed with him his whole life. He graduated from Ithaca High School in 1941. He started working at Morse Chain and then went to school at what is now Rochester Institute of Technology, majoring in instrument making. When World War Il broke out, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and trained to become a pilot. He loved flying and became an instructor. One of his most exciting accomplishments was flying a Mustang P-51. He re-enlisted at the end of the war, this time in the US Air Force. He was a Captain in the reserves for many years. He met Jean Pearce when they were teenagers. They lived a few blocks from each other and attended the same church. They married in 1945 when he was still in the service. They had two children, Susan and Carolyn. They lived in Ithaca, NY, Harrisburg, PA, and DeWitt, NY. He graduated from Cornell University after the service, earning degrees in Mechanical and Agricultural Engineering. He worked for Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and Agway. He married Bettye Spencer before retiring. They moved to Trumansburg, building a home at the site of his childhood cottage. His retirement brought back his love of sailing. He was in his boat on the lake nearly every day that there was “sailing weather”. He was a member of the Trumansburg American Legion, the Ithaca Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, His father inspired his love of genealogy research. He spent hours in libraries, churches, cemeteries and town halls finding his family’s roots coming from England. He and Bettye moved to Lakes at Leesburg, Florida when they tired of the NY winters. They created a new busy life there making many new friends. Dennis Carr was a close friend of his over the years, becoming the son he never had. He participated in the community as a president and placing flags on Memorial and Veteran's Days. He enjoyed many social events at the clubhouse including many hours at the poker room next door. They moved to Brookdale Lake Tavares Assisted Living Facility when they needed a little more help. They made new friends and Norm switched to playing Bingo, enjoying Happy Hour and working on puzzles. Brookdale is next to a lake where he dreamed of sailing again. They appreciated the staff of Brookdale in assisting them in their quieter life. Bettye passed away in January, 2026. They both received services from Vitas Healthcare. The family is so grateful to Hope Hall, RN and Betty Etienne, HHA who cared for them with professional expertise and kindness. Norm was pre-deceased by his parents and sister, Florence (Ray) Poludniak, his first wife, Jean (Pearce) Jennings, and his Wife, Bettye (Spencer) Jennings. He is survived by his sister, Marjorie (Hal) Yaeger of Maryville, TN; his daughters, Susan (Norm) Paterson of Lansing, NY and Carolyn (Chris) Brown of Trumansburg, NY; his cousin, Juanita Elwood of Ithaca, NY; his grandchildren, Kristin (Brett) Mirliani of Canton, MA; Scott (Erin) Bouchard of Centennial, CO; Melissa Munch of Brooktondale, NY; seven great-grandchildren and step-children, Anne Thompson and Andrew Spencer. There are no calling hours or services.

Norman R. Jennings

July 19, 1923 - July 6, 2026