Norman B. Hobbib, beloved husband, father, and grandfather,peacefully went to God on Friday, October 30, 2020. A resident of Mountainside, NJ, and parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for 58 years, Norman was loved and respectedin all aspects of his life.
Norman was born in Cranford, NJ, to Bshara and Mary Hobbib, who had recently immigrated from Lebanon. He was raised in Plainfield, NJ, and graduated from Plainfield High School in 1941. Norman began working at age 5, helping his father sell fruits and vegetables door-to-door during the Depression. After working as a cashier and manager in a local supermarket, he was drafted into the Army in 1943.
Norman’s brief Army career included 12 months in the Army Specialized Training Program at Georgetown University, formal training as an Army Surgical Technician, and 5 months stationed in the Philippines, where he was slated to be in the 3rd wave invasion of Japan. After his discharge from the Army in 1946, Norman graduated from Rutgers University with a BS in Chemistry in 1948 and added an MBA in 1953.
His 40-year professional career in the pharmaceutical industry included 14 years at Merck, working in research, purchasing and marketing. After retiring and consistent with his work ethic, Norman worked for H&R Block for 18 years, qualifying to be an Enrolled Agent.
Family was always a priority in Norman’s life. As a youth, he and his two brothers – George and Lou – were inseparable as the “three musketeers”. He married his sweetheart, Yvonne Nahas, in 1960, and the couple settled in Mountainside in 1962. They had two sons – Tom of San Diego, CA and Bill of Boston, MA, and three grandchildren that Norman adored. And he always cherished family get-togethers with his siblings, nieces and nephews.
In Mountainside and for Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Norman was an active community participant and leader. He was a former President and 5-year Wii bowling champion of the Mountainside Active Retirees Club. He was an active participant in the local VFW chapter, serving as Grand Marshal of the 2015 Memorial Day Parade. And he was a past president of the OLL parish council and Grand Knight of the Mountainside Knights of Columbus Council.
Norman is survived by his wife, Yvonne; his two sons – Tom (daughter-in-law Mary) and Bill (daughter-in-law Liz); three grandchildren – Ryan, Krista and Joseph; his two brothers – George and Lou; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by two sisters, Anna and Catherine, and brother, Joe.
The loss we are all feeling today is impossible to put into words. Norman was kind, gentlemanly, uncomplaining and entirely devoted to his family. His remarkable fortitude and quiet, humble example left a profound influence on all of us. Kindly remember him and our entire family in your prayers.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital via the Norman Hobbib Memorial Fund.
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