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Norman R. Zabel, 86, of Guilford, devoted husband, father, and grandfather passed away on Sept. 26. Born in Hartford on March 12, 1935, son of the late Esther and William Zabel, he grew up in Newington. At Newington High School, he met the love of his life, Edith. Norm graduated from Teachers College of Connecticut in 1957. In the same year, Norm and Edie married and moved to Guilford, where they lived for 63 years.

Norman began his career in education at Guilford High School as a history teacher and coach of boys’ soccer, basketball, and baseball. He moved to a position there as a guidance counselor before spending the remainder of his career as dean of students at Middlesex Community College. Norman was an active member of First Congregational Church in Guilford. He and Edie enjoyed gardening, camping, traveling, and spending winters at their home at Lake San Marino, Florida.

Norman leaves daughter Wendy and her husband David North; son Bill and his wife Wendy Zabel; daughter Julie and her husband Michael Gargano; son-in-law John Ford; grandchildren Lindsey, Christopher, Taylor, Sara, Chelsea, Michael and Justin; and great-grandchildren, Arthur, Iris, Katherine, and Eleanor. He was predeceased by Edie and his daughter Laura Zabel Ford.

A Celebration of Life service for both Norman and Edith will be held on Sunday, Nov. 21, at the First Congregational Church in Guilford. Gifts in Norm’s memory can be made to the First Congregational Church, memo: Memorial Garden or to your favorite educational scholarship fund. Arrangements are with the Hawley Lincoln Memorial, Guilford.