Norman Kangas

SOUTHBRIDGE – Norman Victor Kangas, 79, of Marcy St., died late Friday night, April 1, after an illness.  He leaves his wife of 56 years, Irene (Messinger) Kangas; two sons, David L. Kangas, of West Brookfield and Victor C. Kangas, of Southbridge; two daughters, Beverly J. Gallop, of Manchester, NH and Gail M. Frank, of Southbridge; three grandchildren, Dale S. Gallop, of Manchester, NH, Kayla Frank, of Southbridge, and Cyrus D. Kangas, of West Brookfield; four brothers, Reino Kangas, of Sutton, Edward Kangas, of Richmond, VA, Carlo Kangas, of Nevada, George Kangas, of Lynn, ; two sisters, Mary Peterson, of Sutton and Lempi LeBlanc, of North Carolina; many nieces and nephews. 

He was predeaced by his brother Francis Kangas, of Sutton

 He was born in Worcester, the son of the late George V. and Olga M. (Koski) Rajakangas, and grew up in the Worcester area.  He graduated from St. George’s High School in Tenants Harbor, ME, in 1950.  Norman served as a Squad Leader in the 180th Regiment, 45th Division, in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  He recieved a Purple Heart and earned a Bronze Star.

Norman worked for Russell Harrington for many years before his retirement in 1996.  He enjoyed painting, collecting Hot Wheels cars, and reading.

Calling hours will be held from 7:00 – 9:00PM, Thursday, April 7, in the Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy St., Southbridge.  A service will be held at 10:00AM, Friday, April 8, in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St., Agawam.  An online guestbook and video tribute are available at www.BelangerFuneralHome.com.

To view the video tribute, please click the link below:

http://memorial.yourtribute.com/Norman-Victor-Kangas/