Norman E. Begier

Born on April 12, 1932, at Brooks Hospital in Dunkirk. He was the son of Edmund and Betty (Kozlowski) Begier and brother to the late Audrey Bialaszewski.

Norm’s education started at Sacred Heart School where he played CYO basketball. He enjoyed the outdoors and being a Boy Scout. High school came and he excelled in baseball, football and basketball earning letters in each sport.

After graduation Norm enlisted in the US Navy. The next months brought constant training to newer sailors on sonar and tracking enemy submarines. His main specialty was Yeoman where he was responsible to keep all ship records.

When his Navy years were behind him, Norm was off to Angola, Indiana and enrolled as a student at Tri-State University. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After graduation he came back to Dunkirk and landed a job at Allegheny Ludlum in tool steel and later in marketing until his retirement.

After retirement, he was the co-owner of Dunkirk Metal Products for 8 years.

Some of Norm’s life achievements include serving as a Dunkirk City Councilman-at-Large, Board of Education member, and President of Hose Company 4. He was named to the Western New York Softball Hall of Fame. He served as president of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish council, the Niagara Permanent Goldome Bank advisory board, Dunkirk branch of the Automobile Club of Western New York and on the Board of Camp Gross. He also served as a member of the Board of Lake Shore Savings and Loan as well as Board of Directors at Shorewood Country Club.

Norm was a member of the World War II veterans organization, First Ward Falcons, Dunkirk Exempts, Elks Club and American Legion.

On April 27, 1957 Norm married Mary Ann Gawlowicz. They have two daughters. Mary Beth (Tom) Damon of Orlando, FL and Margaret (Randy) Berlin of Jamestown, NY. Five grandchildren, Thomas ( Melissa) Damon of Sandy Hook, CT, Travis (Romina) Damon of Orlando, FL, Mary Catherine (Josh) Florence of Denver, CO, Meghan Berlin of Jamestown, NY and Katheryn (Jake) Currie of Charlotte, NC. Three great-grandchildren, Madeline Damon, Hudson Damon and Quinn Currie.

Friends and family are welcome to attend calling hours on July 10, 2024 from 3-6 p.m. at McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on July 11, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church. Interment in the Resurrection Mausoleum at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the Begier Family has asked for donations to be made to the Northern Chautauqua Catholic School 336 Washington Ave., Dunkirk, NY 14048.