Normand L. Ayotte

After a life well-lived, Normand L. Ayotte, of Lowell, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2024, five days before his 92nd birthday (93rd year as he would say!). Throughout his life, he reminded us that nothing is more important than family – and in his honor, all were by his side as he went to his eternal rest. 

Normand was the son of George A. and Delia (Thibeault) Ayotte, who predeceased him.  He is survived by his loving and supportive wife of 68 years, Lucille (Bourret) Ayotte, his daughters Lorraine Greeley (Vincent), Diane Laderoute, Michelle Ayotte, Renee Jezak (Joseph), a son, Marc Ayotte (Jennifer), five grandchildren Ashley Surette (Justin), Christina Laderoute, Tyler Jezak, Joey Jezak and Courtney Ayotte, three step-grandchildren, Lynn Wright, Vinny Greeley and Derek DePasquale, as well as three great-grandchildren Callan, Noah and Liam Surette.

He is also survived by his sister, Fleurette Sheehy, sister-in-law, Maureen Ayotte and brother-in-law, Francis Bourret.  He was predeceased by his brothers, George and Rene Ayotte, his sister, Simone Quinn, sisters-in-law Rita Ayotte, Aline Paquin, Elaine Bourret and Pauline Bourret, brothers-in-law Fred Sheehy, John Quinn, Roger Bourret and Normand Paquin.

Normand packed a lot of life into his 92 years.  In his younger days, he played baseball with St. Louis CYO & later served as their Coach.  He also played with the Lowell Trade High School team and then went Semi-Pro with the Lowell Twi-League.  Forty years later, in 1990, he was inducted into the Greater Lowell Tech Athletic Hall of Fame.

For much of his life, Normand worked at the Lowell Housing Authority, starting in the Maintenance Department and working his way up to Executive Director, a position he retired from after 40 years of service.  During those years, he was actively involved in many community organizations, serving as Chairman of MAHAMS, the Lowell Choral Festival and the Lowell Arts Council.  He was also a member of the Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals, Center for Lowell History, Performing Arts Sub-Committee (Boarding House Park), Carillon Committee, Franco-American Day Committee and Franco-American School Committee.

As a proud French Canadian, he worked hard to preserve his French language and culture and in 1983, his efforts were recognized as he was named “Franco-American of the Year”. 

In addition to his dedication and devotion to his family, Normand had two other passions:  music and maintaining his well-manicured lawn, which rivaled the most elite golf courses. His home and yard were his favorite places to be and he never ventured far from there. While he did enjoy his trips to Yellowstone National Park, Niagara Falls, Disneyworld and Canada, his favorite memories were from times spent with his wife, children and grandchildren in his backyard and at Lake Winnipesaukee.

Born into a family of talented musicians and singers, Normand was a very gifted tenor who entertained many audiences over the years.  He started performing as a child and continued until retiring in his 80’s.  During his lifetime, he performed with various choirs as well as with the Boston Opera Company, New England Opera Company, Lowell Opera Company, Merrimack Lyric Opera Company, Bel Canto Singers and the Hanover Opera Workshop.

For most of his life, he was actively involved in the musical program of his parish, Ste. Jeanne d’Arc, where he directed a boys’ choir for a number of years and a men’s choir for 40 years.  When Ste. Jeanne d’Arc parish closed, he went on to serve as Choir Director at St. Joseph the Worker Shrine for 15 years.

Some of Normand’s happiest and proudest moments were those he shared with the chorale groups he founded and directed: “La Chorale Orion”, a tribute to his French heritage and “Spindle City Singers”, which he led for over 30 years.  He also served as Musical Director for the “New Greeley Singers” in Pelham, NH.  He, along with the chorale members, shared a passion for music, which led to many wonderful and lifelong friendships. 

As Normand now joins his parents and siblings, along with many of his musical friends, one can only imagine that he’s already organizing his new “choir of angels”, celebrating in song and preparing for their debut performance.  May he rest in peace.

As his parting gift, Normand’s family had the pleasure of enjoying his outstanding tenor voice as they listened to a recording of his rendition of the 6th Word from the “Seven Last Words of Christ” at his private memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to charities that were important to him:  St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at http://www.stjude.org or the Shriners Children’s Hospital at http://www.shrinerschildrens.org   

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