Norman Singleton

VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE Norman Singleton a much-loved resident of Akron for most of the last 65 years passed away May 4 2005 at Hospice. He was 88. The cause was cancer. Norm was born April 25 1917 in New Bedford Mass. He was a gifted athlete in his youth having played soccer on the National High School Championship Team and also on the Regional Champion Baseball Team at New Bedford High School. After receiving his Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from N.C. State Norm returned to New Bedford where he started his career with the B.F. Goodrich Co. in retail sales. Soon after with his father's support Norm moved to Akron to advance his career. In fairly short order he met Mary Jane Trockle and they were married in 1941. Over the course of the next 12 years they had six children including the twins in 1953. In 1953 Norm formed his own business as a manufacturers rep to sell coated fabric and textiles primarily to the rubber trade. Beginning as Singleton & Mack and later as Singleton & Associates Norm was a rep for the next 45 years. Anyone who met Norm knew that he was very sociable. He was a longtime member of St. Sebastian Church Rotary Club of Akron The Cascade Club and Akron City Club. He was an early member of Fairlawn Country Club and later Congress Lake Country Club where he was a good golfer who made fast friends that stayed with him most of his life. He met nearly all of Akron at one time or another and nearly all of Akron knew him and loved his company. He was fond of his breakfast clubs and the Thursday night dinner group. A list of friends would fill an entire page and he was grateful to all of them for the love and kindness they showed him throughout his life particularly in the last 10 years. Norm was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years Mary Jane Singleton also his daughter Sandra Smith and friend Jo An Dawkins. He is survived by his brother Everett (Mena) Singleton; daughters Nancy (Daniel) Roth Barbara (Richard) Alesch; sons James Singleton Lawrence Singleton (Linda Thomas) David (Paula) Singleton; grandchildren Michele Smith Marcy Smith Daniel Roth Tracy McClure Barry (Amy) Smith Bryan Smith Steven Alesch Brant (Kari) Smith Jessica Roth Bridget (Brian) Hilker; great-grandchildren Chevonne Smith Kayla Burgess Erique Atkinson Isaiah Smith and Connor Roth Hayes. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday May 9 2005 11:00 AM at St. Sebastian Catholic Church 476 Mull Ave. Interment in the Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call the Hummel Funeral Home 500 East Exchange St. on Sunday from 3-7 PM. Memorial donations may be made to the Sandra Singleton Smith Scholarship Fund c/o St. Vincent-St. Mary High School 15 N. Maple Akron OH 44303 or St. Benedict School Development Campaign 714 Gomber Ave. Cambridge OH 43725.