Joseph Normand Jutras
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Joseph Normand Jutras (Norm) or J. Normand Jutras
Of The Villages and Palatka, Florida; Tucson, Arizona; and Amesbury, Massachusetts.
J. Normand Jutras passed away peacefully on 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 Portland Junior College, now part of the University of Maine system. Norm served in the Army National Guard.
Norm was a lifelong entrepreneur and retailer, starting many businesses and buying, selling, and developing real estate. In college, Norm began a 22-year retail career with the W.T. Grant Co. After several transfers around New England and New York, in 1969 he moved his family to Newburyport to open the W.T. Grant store at the brand-new Port Plaza. Norm left Grants in 1974 when he and his wife Diane took a leap of faith and acquired Knights TV on Pleasant Street, Newburyport, reopening as The Music Centre, and evolving into the current Appliance Warehouse. Norm thoroughly enjoyed his 45 plus-year career in the appliance business, joining the NEAEG appliance buying group in 1975, and serving on 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, NH 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 engaged in community endeavors, including the Jaycees and as their Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1968, Newburyport Chamber of Commerce as president and director, Newburyport Rotary Club and as a Paul Harris Fellow, and a volunteer ski instructor with Sunday River's Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation. One of his favorite endeavors was his involvement with Newburyport's annual Yankee Homecoming, 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? Recently, Norm was actively involved in documenting the 60 plus-year history of the Yankee Homecoming. He thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting, documenting, and facilitating interviews with past Yankee Homecoming Chairmen.
Norm loved his greater Newburyport community and his Florida communities in Palatka and The Villages, where he golfed until recently. 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!) and 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.
A memorial service will be held in Massachusetts in May 2021.
Online condolences may be left at www.beyersfuneralhome.com
Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory, Lady Lake, FL.