Norman P. Bartlett

Norman Paul Bartlett passed peacefully on March 13, 2024.  Norman was born on April 9, 1941, in Barre, Vermont. Norman was predeceased by his parents George Dearborn Bartlett and Irene Andrewina (McLeod) Bartlett; his brother, George Bartlett; his sister, Sharon Bartlett, and Marjorie Mary (Barnhart) Bartlett, loving mother of their children Melissa (Bartlett) Maffie and James Norman Bartlett.

Norman was known for his wit, intelligence, laughter, kindness, and insatiable curiosity of the world about him. He will be fondly remembered for his balanced, steadfast, and calming presence. Norm loved adventures with family and friends in the US and abroad, skiing, golfing, sailing, reading, and cooking. Norman’s love of life was evident when he would break out in song with his lovely baritone voice, always bringing a smile and sometimes applause.

His sense of adventure took him on many ski trips to the Rockies and Europe with his son, daughter, and their friends. He planned a European honeymoon with his beloved Kathleen, beginning their many excursions around the US and Europe. He spent all his youthful summers at his grandparents’ home on Greenwood Lake in Woodbury, VT. Norman and Kathleen continued hosting joyful gatherings at the lake house for new generations of family and friends.

After a brief teaching career in St. Albans, Norman was hired by the Vermont Education Association (now Vermont -NEA) in 1969. On May 31, 2021, Norman retired from Vermont-NEA after 52 years of service to Association members throughout Vermont. Hired initially as an Assistant Executive Director, Norman became a VT-NEA Uniserv Director for the Northeast Kingdom in 1973. In 1987, he moved to Manchester, ultimately to Putney, to serve as the VT-NEA UniServ Director in Southern Vermont. During his long career, Norm successfully negotiated over 500 local teacher contracts. He always negotiated in the best interest of local teachers and support staff Association members. Peggy Maxfield from the Windham Southeast Education Association (Brattleboro) commented recently that she knew “hundreds of members who benefitted from Norman’s work.”

Norman represented the town of Putney as a board member of Rescue, Inc. He served as president of the Bellows Falls Country Club, where he founded the Thursday morning Gentlemen’s League.

Norman is survived by his wife of 29 years, Kathleen McEvily Bartlett; his children, Jay Bartlett and his wife Julie of Park City, Utah, and Melissa Maffie and her husband Paul of Melrose, Mass.; his cherished grandchildren, Daniel Maffie and Tessa Bartlett; and his brother, Derek Bartlett of Barre.

Instead of flowers, please consider donating to the Putney Fire Department, 14 Main St, Putney, VT 05346. A memorial to celebrate Norman’s wonderful life will be held at Next Stage Arts Project in Putney on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. 

Where love abounds, or a family celebration is held, Norman P. Bartlett will always be front and center.