Obituary of Norman J. Sweeney

Norman Joseph Sweeney, 91, longtime resident of Binghamton, passed away on September 14, 2016 at Vestal Park Center. Norman was born on January 11, 1925, one of three children of Joseph and Mary (Lee) Sweeney. In 1943, Norman graduated from Binghamton Central High School, and shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the United States Army for World War II service volunteering for the 542nd Parachute Infantry. In 1950, Norman graduated with a Bachelor of History degree from St. Bonaventure, and in 1951 with a Master in Administration degree from Albany State College. His first teaching appointment was at Candor High School. Later, he joined the faculty at the Chenango Forks Central School System as an administrator and teacher. In December of 1952, he was appointed superintendent of schools, and continued to teach senior high school students through his Real World Class, providing students with the opportunity to meet a variety of interesting and influential people. Norman's interest in teaching and hunting lead him to being one of the first hunter safety instructors in New York State. He served as a head lifeguard at Chenango Valley State Park for 17 summers where he trained lifeguards from the area. He taught children with special needs at Chenango Forks School to swim and become "drown proof." During Norman's tenure as superintendent of schools, he had the support and help from many people – teachers, non-teaching employees, bus drivers, students, parents and board of education members – and was extremely grateful for the support. Norman loved his position as superintendent and enjoyed going to work every day. He was a member of the Friends of the Broome County Library and of St. Patrick's Church. He was president of the 542nd Parachute Battalion Reunion Group of World War II. Norman enjoyed the outdoors, history, stamp collecting, reading, growing tomatoes, dogs, and much more. He was loved and respected by many and will be missed by his family and the community. Norman is survived by his wife, Ruth (Dambousky) and his daughter, Christine and her husband, Lou Schlagter of Vestal; his sons: Matthew Sweeney and his partner, Cindy Wolcott of Schenectady; Peter Sweeney and his wife, Cecilia Garcia Blasquez, and granddaughter Camila Sweeney of New Milford, CT; Timothy Sweeney and his wife, Susan Thomas of Binghamton; his sister, Nancy Lee Sweeney of Binghamton; sister-in-law Marie (Dambousky) and her husband Karl Payne of Binghamton, and their children. Norman was predeceased by his sister, Esther Fairweather (Sweeney) of Endicott. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Patrick's Church, Corner of Oak and Leroy Streets, Binghamton, Monday at 9:30 a.m. Private family burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The Family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Sunday from 1-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his memory to St. Patrick's Church or to any charitable organization.