Norman DuCoin
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Norman D. DuCoin, of Petoskey, formerly of Grosse Pointe Woods and Traverse City, died peacefully surrounded by his family at the Hiland Cottage on November 27, 2019.
He was born September 14, 1932 in Chicago, IL, to Anthony and Hedwig (nee Kastenberger) DuCoin.
In 1951, with the onset of the Korean War, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was a Seaman Storekeeper Striker 1952-1956. He served on the U.S.S. Mercury stationed in Norfolk, Virginia and made 5 trips to the Mediterranean Sea.
He earned a bachelor's degree in Education from Eastern Michigan University. While attending EMU, he met, and later married, Marie Murtonen.
He went on to become a teacher and counselor in the Grosse Pointe Public School System for 40 years.
Norm and his wife (Marie) had three children and six grandchildren. The family enjoyed camping trips in the summer months. He was a champion bowler, liked to host picnic parties at the Grosse Pointe Woods Park and work with special needs children in his spare time.
In 1989 Norm and his wife retired and moved to Traverse City, where they were both active in the community and he volunteered at Munson Hospital and was head of maintenance at a senior community center.
Norm loved playing music, an avid collector of all things Charles Schultz "Peanuts" gang, he would set off on adventures to find pieces to add for display. He enjoyed drawing Peanuts characters too with Charley Brown, and Snoopy + Woodstock being his models for cards to friends and people he would see throughout his time. His highlight was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and favorite grand dog Jazz.
He is survived by his children, Jon DuCoin, Brighton, MI. Karla (Edward) Stokel, Petoskey, MI, Sarah DuCoin, Chicago, IL and Julie DuCoin (daughter-in-law), Brighton, MI; six grandchildren , Brock DuCoin, Reese DuCoin, Alexis, Victoria, Austin & Vanessa Stokel, brother, Tony DuCoin (Texas); cousin, Gretchen Krammer and many nieces and nephews.
Beloved husband to Marie predeceases him after 52 years of marriage.
The family wishes to sincerely thank the nurses at the Hiland Cottage, McLaren Health Care Hospice and staff of Internal Medicine and Urology for the great care and support to Norm. Independence Village of Petoskey for their professional, caring, kindness and exceedingly gift at making residents feel like family. Dad was thankful for the friendships made while living there for 7 years.
He was a grand fun guy and ALL of you helped keep a smile on dads face and for that we are forever grateful. "You are So Good"
Norm wanted to make a difference with education. He is at University of Michigan in the Anatomical Donation program for the gift of knowledge. Life Story Funeral Home of Traverse City handled arrangements for Norm's transportation to the University of Michigan Medical Center.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday December 21st at 11:00 am in the Main Dining Room at Independence Village, Petoskey.
In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests that a donation be made to either: Little Traverse Bay Humane Society - LTBHS.com, Hiland Cottage Petoskey - Mclaren.org or the Wounded Warrior Project - support.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more.