It’s with great sorrow we the family of Norman William Branch announce his passing in the wee hours of 12 October 2026 due to complications with a lengthy illness. He was 90.
Born in Bathurst Norman was the second of 4 siblings to the late William P and Mary Helen (Legacy) Branch.
A Bathurst High School alumnus, Class of ’54 Norman embarked on a lifelong path of various career choices. Right out of school he became a draftsman for northern Machine Works but then decided to venture to Elliot Lake, Ontario and try is hand in the mining field. Unfortunately, due to an automobile accident and a lengthy stay in hospital Normans life in Ontario was short-lived and he found himself on the highway eastbound for home, settling back in Bathurst and subsequently employment in the lab at Consolidated Bathurst. It was here Norman met his wife, E Joyce Scott. A few short years later Norman found himself transferred with a young family to the Consolidated Bathurst Paper mill in Grand-Mere, Quebec. The pull of home taunted Norman for many years there so he relocated his expanded family back to Bathurst in 1975 and began another career in mining, this time at Brunswick Mining as a rock bolter until his retirement in 2000.
Dads had a love for music. He self taught in many instruments but mainly guitar. He also enjoyed playing harmonicas, melodica, banjo, accordion and a bit of piano. He wasn’t afraid to try them all. Norman even dabbled a bit into recording the music he loved to play and sing often showcasing some of his works when DJ’ing at events for friends and family. He gave away many copies of his tapes he produced. We are pretty sure that even some nights if you were walking pass our home you got an ear full of dad’s music on any given weekend.
Norman is survived by two sons: Kenneth Branch (Monique) and Robert Branch (Terry) all of Bathurst and his daughter Chantal Tycholiz (Ron) of Kenora, Ontario. His grandchildren include Charlene, Samantha, Nicole, Jayden and Jenna, great grandsons Winston and Silas and many nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by siblings Gerald Branch (Karen) of Battle Ground Washington and Joan Smith (Don) of Bathurst.
Besides his parents Norman was pre-deceased by his wife of 44 years Joyce in April 2005, a son William Blair of Dartmouth, NS in October 2019 and his sister Dorothy Smith of Shubenacadie, NS in November 2014.
The family wishes to thank the doctors and nursing staff at the ER and on 3rd West at Chaleur Regional Hospital and Foyer Notre Dame de Lourdes for keeping dad as comfortable as possible during his last couple weeks with us. And a very special thank you to the dedicated staff of Foyer Chez Annie on Murray Avenue in Bathurst for the exceptional care they provided for our dad for so many years. They were a second family to him.
Donations in memory of Norman can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Cremation has taken place and as per Dads wishes there will be no viewing or funeral service however a graveside service and committal will take place at the family plot at the St. George’s Anglican Cemetery on St. Anne Street, Bathurst on Monday October 26, 2026 at 10 a.m.
Arrangements are in the care of Elhatton’s Funeral Home Bathurst.
