Norman Joseph Szafir, 100, of Beaumont, died Thursday, July 2, 2009, in Dallas, Texas.
A native of Port Arthur, Norman was born December 6, 1908, to Sophie and Edmund Szafir. In 1926, he began working for the Neches Electric Company until 1941, when he began working for the Navy shipyards installing underwater sound equipment. After the war, in 1945, Norman purchased the Neches Electric Company and remained the owner until recently, when he gifted the company to Chris Bridges, one of his loyal and faithful employees. He was known throughout his life as one who cared deeply for his family and friends. His honesty and integrity set an example for all who knew him.
His sister, Johanna Faye preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of seventy-two years, Lois Ney Szafir; daughter, Susan Golman and her husband Martin of Dallas; grandchildren, Stacy and Doug Baer, Robin and Craig Unterberg, and Max Golman; and great-grandchildren, Hailey and Zoe Baer, and Tatum and Riley Unterberg.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to his niece and nephew, Jerry and Ralph Roddy, Norma and Alan Sampson, Iris and Jerry Nathan, and his closest friends, Milton Bell and David Sockler. Mr. Szafir’s family would also like to thank Norman’s most special caregiver, Alice Thomas, and the three other angels who cared for him throughout his brief illness, Veronica Leslie, Carolyn Talmore, and Aweda Walker. Emil Weaver was also extremely attentive to Norman.
A graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Sunday, July 5, 2009, at Hebrew Rest Cemetery with Rabbi Joshua Taub of Temple Emanuel officiating, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will follow the service at Hotel Beaumont, 625 Orleans, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
