Norman Francis DelGigante

Norman Francis DelGigante

March 10, 1932 – July 27, 2016

 Norman Francis DelGigante, age 84, of Lake Worth, Florida passed away peacefully on July 27, 2016. Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend will be greatly missed.

 Norman was born on March 10, 1932, to Joseph and Marie DelGigante in Providence, Rhode Island. As a child, Norman lived with his parents, brother and two sisters and their dog, Brownie, on Pengrove Street in Cranston, Rhode Island. After graduating from high school, Norman served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. After serving in the armed forces, Norman attended Boston University where he graduated with a degree in Communications. At BU, Norman met Audrey Jenek, who would become his best friend and wife. They married on August 22, 1959 and eventually had 2 daughters.

 Norman continued his service to the United States as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. Beginning his career in Washington, D.C., Norman went on to serve in Italy, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Spain, Canada, Poland and Japan.  A favorite post was Italy, where Norman enjoyed the food, especially the Margherita Pizza.

 Norman returned to Washington DC for his last post, eventually retiring in Springfield, Virginia.   Norman enjoyed his retirement by collecting antiques & collectibles and opened a small store in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  Norman inherited his father’s skill of landscaping gardening and was known as the community gardener.

 Eventually, Norman and Audrey moved to Lake Worth, Florida where Norman became an avid tennis player and where his friends knew him as “Norm.”

 Norman was defined by an insatiable intellectual curiosity.  He loved to read. He enjoyed music and played piano by ear. Songs from the 1940s & 50s and Dolly Parton always made him smile. He enjoyed watching golf. He loved going to the movies. A favorite was YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. We will always remember Norm with his hearty laugh.

 Norman is survived by his wife, Audrey Jenek DelGigante, his daughters, Marlena Thomas (husband Gary) & Renee Pavoni (husband David) of Los Angeles, California, and his sisters Barbara Tomasso of Cranston, Rhode Island, and Beverly Straffin of Lake Worth, Florida. His brother, Robert DelGigante of Cranston, RI passed away in 2009. Norman has a large extended family including three grandchildren, Massimo Pavoni, Ian Pavoni and Lydia Thomas.

 A gathering of family and friends will be held 2-3pm, Wednesday, August 3, 2016 with a Memorial Service at 3:00pm on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at Tillman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2170 South Military Trail, West Palm Beach.