Norman J. Hosier, Sr.

Norman Hosier, Sr., age 98 of Wayne, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

Born in Paterson to James and May Hosier, Norman was one of many children in a bustling household. His love for the outdoors began early with the Boy Scouts and turned into a lifelong passion for fishing and hunting; a trait he eventually passed down to his kids too.

When Norman turned 17, the attacks on Pearl Harbor shook the nation and led Norm to the Draft Board to serve his country. Assigned to the Navy and stationed in Hawaii, he served as a chef and baker for the next 14-18 months before returning home with his newfound skills and enjoyment for baking.

After Norman returned home from the United States Navy, he learned a beautiful young woman named Jennie had moved in next door to his parents at 147 Garfield Avenue in Paterson. Wasting absolutely no time, Norm asked Jennie to go out with him, and she said yes. The couple quickly fell in love and were married in less than a year on Saturday, September 16, 1950, at Pascack Reformed Church in Park Ridge. After a reception in the family’s home, Norman and Jennie jumped into his light green Nash and headed for Sarasota Springs, NY for a beautiful honeymoon.

The young couple began their married life in Norman’s parents’ apartment at 147 Garfield Avenue. They shared the apartment with his parents, and it was there that they were blessed with the first of their five children, a baby girl who they named Deborah. They quickly decided they needed a bit more space and conveniently enough Jennie’s parents in the apartment next door offered the newlyweds the upstairs apartment all to themselves. There, they were blessed with two more girls: first Janice and then Norma Jean. With their family growing they decided to move to Genessee Avenue in Paterson where they welcomed their two boys: Norman, Jr. and James. In 1962, they moved to their home in Wayne where they’ve lived ever since.

Norman built a career as a specialty cake maker and baker, putting his Navy training to expert use. Despite offers from large conglomerates eager to recruit his talents, he preferred working at local bakeries where he could perfect his craft. Besides baking, Norman was also an incredible carpenter. He built out his house himself, redid his own roof, and tackled just about any project you can think of in his home apart from electrical work which he wisely left to professionals. Norman was generous with his time going out of his way to help friends, neighbors and eventually his kids with their own home projects.

Norm and Jennie loved Long Island and Barnegat and made sure to pass on that love to their children by taking their family out on summer trips to their favorite spots. Norm taught his kids to crab off the bay docks and enjoyed every second spent with them, especially in the places they loved. Working six days a week never diminished his devotion to his children. On his Mondays off, he would sometimes surprise them by waking them up and exclaiming there was no school today because they were going fishing or hunting instead!

Norman approached both work and life with tireless ambition and the belief that every problem was simply a new challenge to overcome. This resilient mindset, which he embodied every day until his final moments, became a cornerstone value he passed down to his children.

Norman and Jennie shared a loving marriage that spanned a remarkable 73 years before her passing in October 2023. He will be remembered as a devoted family man who worked tirelessly for those he loved and who always made time for what truly mattered in life.

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Norman was the beloved husband of Jennie who predeceased him in October of 2023.  He was the proud and loving father of five children: Deborah LaSala and husband William of Wantage, Janice Nolan and husband Thomas of Pompton Plains, Norma Jean Johnson and husband Scott of Newton, Norman Hosier, Jr. and wife Maryrose of Newton, and James Hosier of Wayne; adoring grandfather of five grandsons: Jason Grieves, Billy LaSala, the late Christopher Grieves (2007), Michael Hosier and Matthew Hosier; dear uncle of several nieces and nephews and great grandchildren.

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In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial contributions to: The Plant Church, 115 Franklin Tpke. #155, Mahwah, NJ 07430