Norman ‘Norm’ Joseph
Born: 5 March 1926
Died: 13 June 2017
One of Pakenham’s last World War II veterans, Norman ‘Norm’ Albert Joseph has been remembered for his larger than life personality and love of the Navy.
The community stalwart died at Knox Private Hospital on 13 June, aged 91, and had dedicated much of his life to others.
Born on 5 March 1926 in North Fitzroy to Benjamin and Eva Joseph, Norm was the middle child, joined by brothers Ron and Noel.
His commitment to others was clear from an early age.
Norm left school at 13, and at 15 persuaded his mother to make a false statement about his age so he could join the Australian Army.
He served in Darwin during the time of the WWII air raids, and shortly after was enlisted overseas, where he was listed as missing.
In reality, the youngster had developed malaria and yellow water fever and his mother quickly retracted her previous statement about her son’s age and had him shipped back home.
He was then posted to a young services battalion until he was old enough to be sent to Borneo with the 39th Battalion.
There, he remained, fighting against the Japanese in the jungle until peace was declared.
Following Borneo, Norm did Morse code training and worked as a radio officer on fishing boats around Australia’s coast before joining the R.C.A radio in Cairns as a radio technician.
It was through the Navy, “around the world”, that’s his path crossed with future wife Zoe.
In 1955 after hearing an advertisement, Norm set sail on the Arcadia ship to England, for what was intended to be a holiday.
However, it would be 44 years before he would return to Australia.
Fate led Norm to Zoe when, in Holland Park, London, they met through a suitcase Norm had left and returned to collect.
A short time later, when Norm phoned Zoe and asked her to celebrate his upcoming birthday, their future was sealed.
To this day, Zoe describes Norm as “always the One”.
They married in April 1957 at the Kensington Register Office while Norm ignored frantic telegrams from his Greek tramp ship where he worked, which was unable to sail without him.
The wedding over, Norm honeymooned on a Greek tramp while Zoe went to the Cotswolds.
Soon after, Norm left his seafaring life and moved to Durban, South Africa, with his new bride, working in marketing and engineering.
There, they welcomed their two daughters Carolyn and Sally.
With the beckon of retirement in 1988, Norm and Zoe decided the time was right to relocate to Sydney, where an adult Sally and Norm’s two brothers were living.
But life in a Sydney retirement villa didn’t quite suit the retirees, and so they made the subsequent shift to Tynong North, running a property for a short time before moving to Pakenham.
It was here the couple would lay down their roots, becoming integral parts of the local community.
You name it, Norm was involved.
His second home was perhaps the Pakenham RSL Sub-Branch, where he was a hardworking member for 13 years, and described by its committee as central to its success.
In January 2016, he was formally recognised for his contributions with an honorary life membership with the group.
Norm was also a key member of the Rotary Club of Pakenham, and one of the few in its lifetime to be awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow in 2015.
He may not have been a life-long Paky local, but during the time he was here and right up until the end, he gave so much.
His most recent accolade was a Quilt of Valour in recognition of his military service, presented to Zoe on 7 June as he was unable to attend due to ill health.
Sadly, just a week later, “in a huge loss” to the local community, he passed away at Knox Private Hospital.
He was remembered at a public funeral in June for his love of the Navy, his family and many friends and for always asking the poignant questions.
“Norm, you shared many things with us during your life, you inspired and delighted us. We honour your journey and we remember the respect you showed to all,” his eulogy read.
“This sense of loss is difficult but in the knowledge that Norm had a happy life, makes that loss just a bit easier.”
