Normand Jutras

Joseph Normand Jutras (Norm) J. Normand Jutras Of The Villages and Palatka, Florida; Tucson, Arizona; and Amesbury, Massachusetts. J. Normand Jutras passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, March 27, 2021 at his home in The Villages with his wife and daughter at his side, following a brief, but courageous battle with gallbladder cancer. He was always supported by his strong faith in God and was grateful for his many blessings. Joseph Normand Jutras was born June 27, 1934 in Lewiston, Maine to Lucia (Bolduc) and Levis A. Jutras. He graduated from Lewiston High School and from Portland Junior College, now part of the University of Maine system. Norm served in the Army National Guard beginning in high school, in at least three different states, and was honorably discharged from the Airborne National Guard. Norm was a lifelong entrepreneur and retailer, starting many businesses and buying, selling, and developing real estate, most recently in Palatka, Florida. His enterprising spirit was sparked with his first job as a news carrier for the Lewiston Evening Journal. During high school he owned and operated the French Fry Concessions at the Lewiston Fair Grounds, taking over from his brother Roger. In college, Norm started a 22-year career in retail sales and management with the W.T. Grant Co. After eight years with the company, at the age of 26, he was promoted to store manager of his first store in Amsterdam, New York. After several transfers to different stores in New England, in 1969 he moved with his family to Newburyport, Massachusetts to open the W.T. Grant store at the brand-new Port Plaza. Norm left the Grant company in 1974 when he and his wife Diane took a leap of faith and acquired Knights TV on Pleasant Street, Newburyport. They reopened the business as The Music Centre, which evolved into the current Appliance Warehouse. Norm thoroughly enjoyed his 45 plus-year career in the appliance business. In 1975 he joined the NEAEG appliance buying group and served as a member of the Board of Directors for many years. He believed that affiliation was an instrumental factor in the growth and success of Appliance Warehouse. His daughter Liz and son Jim continue his legacy, operating Appliance Warehouse in Seabrook, New Hampshire and South Portland, ME, respectively. In business, Norm formed many lifelong friendships and mentored many, never hesitating to offer advice or guidance. Over the years and in several states, Norm was engaged in many community endeavors. He was active in the Jaycees and was named their Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1968, was president of the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, was a Paul Harris Fellow in the Rotary Club, and a volunteer ski instructor with Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation at Sunday River. One of his favorite undertakings was his involvement with Newburyport's annual Yankee Homecoming Week, serving initially as a volunteer, then as General Chairman in 1975. Remember John Denver, the 101st Airborne Division, and a re-enactment of an 1867 tightrope walking across the Bartlett Mall on Olde Fashioned Sunday? Over the last few years, he has been actively engaged in documenting the history of the annual Yankee Homecoming celebration that was established in 1958. He thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting, documenting, and facilitating interviews with past Yankee Homecoming Chairmen. Norm particularly loved his greater Newburyport, MA community, his Palatka, FL community as well as his The Villages, FL community (especially his golfing buddies, neighbors, and friends). He believed that life is lived outside your four walls. Norm was always ready to offer a smile or a hug (he gave the best hugs!). His ability to connect with people was remarkable; he would seem to know people wherever he travelled. Norm was predeceased by his parents, his first wife, Diane (Cotter), his siblings, Cecile Coulombe, Lucien, and Roger, and their spouses. He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Susan (Carlson Hart) Jutras, his children, Mary Ellen Jutras, Elizabeth Jutras, Martha McLaughlin (Jeffrey), Polly Jutras, Joseph Jutras (Ann Marie Viglione), James Jutras (Kimberly), and Michael, stepsons Jason Hart (Sylvia) and Dana Hart (Courtney). He is also survived by his 12 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Amy McLaughlin, Brian McLaughlin, Jacqui Jutras, George Jutras, Katy Jutras, Maddie Jutras, Kristina Jutras, Ava Jutras, Vincent Hart, Joe Hart, Jacques Hart, and Harrison Hart, and many nieces, nephews, other family, and friends. His canine companions Max and Brady will miss him greatly as well. Plans for a memorial service in Newburyport, MA have been set for June, 2021. Visiting hours will be held Friday, June 18, 2021, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.at E.V. Jutras & Sons Funeral Home, 118 Friend Street, Amesbury. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church, 42 Green Street, Newburyport, immediately followed by burial at St. Mary's Cemetery, 36 Storey Avenue, Newburyport. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Norm's memory to Newburyport Yankee Homecoming: http://yankeehomecoming.com/donate/ Yankee Homecoming, LLC, P.O. Box 493, Newburyport, MA 01950 or to the charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be left at www.beyersfuneralhome.com Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory, Lady Lake, FL.

Normand Jutras

June 27, 1934 - March 27, 2021