Norman Frederic Fay

Norman Frederic Fay, age 101, died on Friday, December 21, 2018, at his home at North Hill in Needham, MA. He lived in Needham for more than 90 years, 60 of them married to Barbara Wilcox Fay, who died in 2002.  They raised three daughters together. He was "Bud" Fay to friends for most of his life, "Pop" to his wife, and "Dad" to Janet Fay MacMillan (Douglas) of Medfield, the late Barbara ("Robin") Fay MacMillan of Ashburnham (John), and Deborah Fay Bassett (Kenneth) of Needham. He was "Grampa" to his 6 grandchildren, Carol MacMillan Panetta, Christine MacMillan Pontes, Scott MacMillan, Brian MacMillan, Erin Bassett, Thomas Bassett and 4 great grandchildren. 

Mr. Fay was born on July 28, 1917 to Grace Eva (Wilcox) and Earl Claude Fay, and like his two brothers, Gardner W. Fay (1915-1942) and Donald H. Fay (1921-1988), attended Needham High School (Class of 1935). He graduated from the University of Maine in 1940. He served on the Board of Directors of the Needham Red Cross and was a Needham Town Meeting member for many years.

As a Captain in the 30th Artillery Division during World War II, Mr. Fay participated in the landing at Normandy and fought on the European front, earning a Bronze Star and an Air Medal.  After the war he became a wool broker and later worked for the Bank of Boston as an Investment Officer retiring in 1980.  Determined to live to at least the age of 100, he would often quip: "The first 95 years are the hardest." He enjoyed spending time with his family; visiting their vacation home, a log cabin on a lake in Woolwich, Maine; and very dry martinis.

A Memorial Service will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave, Needham, on Saturday, January 5th at 11:00 am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visitation will be held on Saturday morning from 10 – 11 am, prior to the service. Interment is private.

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