Dr. Alexander P. Norskey

Dr. Alexander P. Norskey passed away peacefully at his home in Gardner on October 23rd with his youngest daughter, Gail, at his side. He was 96 years old.

Alec was born in Baldwinville in 1929 to Helen Chichy and Victor Norskey and was nurtured by his loving and hardworking Polish family. His childhood was spent exploring the wilds of Baldwinville, fishing in the local streams, charting ski trails throughout the woods, and growing a bounty of vegetables. Along with his parents, grandparents, and beloved older sister, Bernice, he enjoyed frequent trips to the New Hampshire seashore in summers and attended the movies each weekend in Gardner.

At the age of 12, Alec’s family moved to Gardner, where his parents bought a house on Halford Street. There, on the playgrounds of the West End, Alec developed his love of team sports. The friendships he made on those ballfields would last throughout his lifetime.

At Gardner High School, Alec’s prowess in athletics truly shone as he went on to become one of the school's finest athletes, captaining the football, basketball, and baseball teams. While attending a dance in his junior year, Alec met the love of his life, Doris C. Carbone. Alec served as president and valedictorian of his senior class at GHS. He followed Doris to UMASS, where they enjoyed a wonderful three years together. During his sophomore year, Alec’s college career on the gridiron and basketball court was cut short when he signed a contract with the New York Yankees. Although he did not ultimately play in the majors, he played semi-pro ball in Nova Scotia and New Hampshire while he was enrolled in Tufts University Dental School.

In December of 1952, Doris and Alec were married at Sacred Heart Church in Gardner. Following dental school and service in the US Army as a captain at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Alec, Doris, and their three daughters returned to Gardner, where they purchased their first home and Alec established his dental practice. Soon, they were joined by a fourth baby girl who completed their family.

As their children grew, Doris and Alec designed and built their forever home off Bickford Hill and enjoyed summers at the beaches of New Hampshire and Maine.

Ever curious, Alec eventually earned a graduate degree in Endodontics at Tufts University and established a specialized practice in Leominster, which he maintained until his mid-eighties.

Alec was remarkable for his many interests. In addition to his devotion to sport – he was a superb golfer and enjoyed skiing every winter – he maintained extensive gardens at his homes in Gardner and York, Maine, tied exquisite fishing flies, played the guitar, collected books, and read widely. After the death of his beloved Doris, four years ago, he trained himself to cook wholesome meals while maintaining a beautiful garden at her gravesite. A kind, gentle, and generous man, Dr. Norskey will be profoundly missed by his loving daughters Carol (Paul), Margaret (Pat), Joanne, and Gail (Barry); seven grandchildren Andrew, Ariel, Eleni (Giulia),Toula, Doug (Dasha), Catie (Damon), and Ben (Sierra); and great grandson Aiden.

Visiting hours will be held 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Monday, October 27, at Mack Family Funeral Home, Gardner Chapel, 105 Central St., Gardner. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:a.m. at Saint Martin Catholic Church, 248 State Road in Otter River.  Burial with military honors will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Gardner.

To send an online condolence, please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com.

Mack Family Funeral Home - Gardner Chapel, 105 Central St., Gardner, is directing arrangements.