Life story

" Norman Herbert Kolb of Stafford, VA, went home to the Lord on December 26, 2024. His wife, Shirley Ann Kolb, predeceased him in death in February of 2020. He leaves behind his daughter, Mary Emeigh, and her husband, Bruce, grandson Cody and his wife, Libbi, and great-grandchildren, Camden and Raegan, and grandson, Alex, and his girlfriend, Erica. He also leaves his stepson, John Morrison, and grandson, Bobby from Burlington, ON. Norm also considered, Yoshi Watari of Japan, as a son.
Born on May 24, 1938, in Rochester, NY, his parents were Arlene Kress and Herbert Kolb. Norman has two siblings, a brother Paul Kolb, who died in 2023 and a sister Beverly who resides in Texas.
In 1957, Norman joined the Congregation of St. Basil and was posted to Toronto, ON, where he earned an Honors BA in History and Philosophy at the University of Toronto. He then taught World History at St. Aquinas Institute.
Norman then completed theological courses at St. Basil’s Seminary in Toronto and was ordained a priest. After graduate studies and earning a Master’s Degree at Syracuse University, he was posted back to Toronto to teach pastoral theology courses to seminarians. He was also assistant chaplain of the Newman Center, University of Toronto for four years and then resigned from the Basilian Fathers in the beginning of 1973.
He was married to Shirley in June of 1973 when they moved to Utica, NY. During their time in Utica, Norm was General Manager and then President of L-K Distributorship. He became very involved in several charitable organizations, and both he and his wife belonged to the Rotary Club of Utica. Norm was a member of Rotary from 1979 and became President in 1987.
In 2003, Shirley and Norman moved to Virginia to be closer to their daughter and become involved with their grandchildren. Norman was involved with Stafford County Schools by substitute teaching, fundraising, and volunteering in senior development.
The most satisfying part of those years was being involved with his two grandsons as they progressed through school, soccer teams, student government, various jobs, and attending Virginia Tech.
Norman was a man of great faith and will continue to watch over his family. Norman’s favorite quote was, “We love being grandparents and would recommend it to everyone!”
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